Court Rules In Favor Of Medtronic In Fidelis Litigation

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 08 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PST

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Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) reported that on Jan. 5, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota dismissed with prejudice the Master Consolidated Complaint for Individuals and the Master Consolidated Complaint for Third-Party Payors relating to the multi-district litigation (MDL) involving Medtronic's Sprint Fidelis defibrillator leads on grounds of federal preemption. The Court issued a companion order that each case in the MDL will be dismissed with prejudice unless an individual plaintiff can establish his or her case survives the Court's preemption analysis based on claims different from those asserted in the master complaints.

"We are pleased with the Court's decision, which is consistent with the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Riegel v. Medtronic last year, following a long line of circuit court decisions," said Bill Hawkins, Medtronic's chairman and chief executive officer. "This decision supports the principle that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the appropriate body to determine the safety and efficacy of innovative technologies."

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2008. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Medtronic