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Texas man suffers from PTSD from defective cardiac defibrillator
July 1st, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Unexpected and inappropriate shocks to the heart caused by a defective cardiac defibrillator caused one man to suffer such severe anxiety that he is now being treated by a psychiatrist for post traumatic stress, according to The Southeast Texas Record. The patient, Donald Larry Jackson, filed a product liability suit against Medtronic, the makers of the defective medical device, and is seeking claims of relief for product liability, breach of implied warranty, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, violation of consumer protection statutes, breach of express warranties, unjust enrichment, battery, and negligent misrepresentation.
Jackson underwent emergency surgery to replace the defibrillator but continued to have anxiety from the experience. He says he is now at an increased risk of cardiovascular events or death because of the inappropriate shocks to his heart, which is causing him pain, extreme anxiety, fear of death and great physical, emotional and psychological suffering.
Jackson’s case is one of several that have come to light over the years after patients reported experiencing sometimes excruciatingly painful electric shocks in their chest. Certain models of the leads, which connect to the defibrillators, were found to have fractured, causing the defibrillators to unnecessarily shock patients or fail to work altogether. As a result, on October 15, 2007, Medtronic suspended the sale of its Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Leads. To date, Medtronic has reported 13 fatalities associated with the faulty leads.
Jackson’s complaint contends that Medtronic did not provide him with notice of the increased fracturing risk and made unconscionable or fraudulent representations regarding the product.
