Medical Device Lawsuits Limited

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People filing lawsuits over the safety of federally-approved medical devices will face stricter legal hurdles, after a decision handed down today by the U.S. Supreme Court. In an 8-1 decision, the Court held that the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 bars most state law claims challenging the safety or effectiveness of a medical device that received market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The case was an appeal of dismissal of a suit filed after a Medtronic catheter in a patient's coronary artery ruptured during heart surgery.

• Read the U.S. Supreme Court Decision (FindLaw)
• Reuters: Top Court Rules for Medtronic in Devices Case
• Medical Product and Device Defects (FindLaw)
• Defective and Dangerous Products (FindLaw)