Frequently Asked Questions about the Guidant Recall

Guidant Recall FAQs


What models are involved in the defective defibrillator lawsuits and Guidant defibrillator recall?
* Ventak Prizm 2 DR (Model 1861), prior to April 16, 2002
* Contak Renewal (Model H135), prior to Aug. 26, 2004
* Contak Renewal 2 (Model H155), prior to Aug. 26, 2004
* Ventak Prizm AVT
* Vitality AVT
* Renewal 3 AVT
* Renewal 4 AVT

What will it cost to replace my defective Guidant defibrillator?
The cost is estimated to be between $20,000 and $30,000 to replace a Guidant defibrilaltor.

Who will pay for the cost of the surgery to replace my defective Guidant defibrillator?
In certain cases, Guidant has agreed to pay for the cost of replacement of defective defibrilaltors. You should consult your physician and your insurance company to determine whether Guidant will pay for your replacement.

Are all of the Guidant defibrillators considered defective?
No. Only certain models of Guidant defibrillators have shown to have a defect in design or manufacturing. You should check the ID tag for your defbirillator and immediately consult your doctor to determine if the defects apply to your model.

What are the chances that my Guidant defibrillator will fail?
It is estimated that there are 29,000 units in question. Out of those, there have been 45 reported failures and at least two deasths linked to the units. If no other failures occur, that would mean that 1 out of 15,000 could result in death, and 1 out of 650 could fail. If more reports come in, the failure rate would turn out to be higher.

Should I replace my Guidant defibrillator?
You should immediately consult with your physician to determine if your model is part of the recall, if your defibrillator is defective, and whether the risk of surgery is better than the risk of keeping your defective Guidant defibrillator unit.

Are there any lawsuits or class actions being filed?
Yes. There are a number of lawfirms that are investigating these cases. Lawsuits have already been filed against Guidant.

Monheit Law is investigating cases involving the Guidant defibrillators. Users of this defibrillator can contact Monheit Law at
http://www.monheit.com/guidant-defibrillator-recall

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Monheit Law is investigating cases involving the Guidant defibrillators. Users of this defibrillator can contact Monheit Law at
http://www.monheit.com/guidant-defibrillator-recall