Welcome to the Guidant heart device litigation settlement website. This website contains materials relative to the proposed settlement of cases in this litigation.

This website is for general informational purposes. Your own lawyer will be preparing the necessary forms and claims on your behalf. Please contact your lawyer with any questions about your participation, and provide any further information your lawyer requests. Since the deadlines are tight, it is recommended that you contact your lawyer immediately.

***NEW***

PLAINTIFFS OBTAIN $240 MILLION AMENDED SETTLEMENT IN GUIDANT DEFIBRILLATORS PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION

$45 Million More Than Original Agreement -- Relief for Up To 8,550 Patient Plaintiffs *

Minneapolis, MN, November 19, 2007 -- Co-Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in the Guidant Medical Device Litigation announced today that an amended settlement agreement has been obtained on behalf of 8,550 patient plaintiffs who asserted claims against Guidant Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation and other entities (hereinafter collectively, "Defendants"). The plaintiffs had claimed that Defendants knowingly sold them inherently defective defibrillator devices with potential life-threatening defects over a period of three years. The amended settlement expands a prior agreement obtained in July 2007, which had provided for a recovery of $195 million to settle over 5,600 claims. After additional injured patients stepped forward, the agreement was amended to provide up to $240 million in compensation. The successful settlement mediation sessions were conducted before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan in Minneapolis over a 15-month period. Charles S. Zimmerman, co-lead attorney for the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, stated,

"This amended agreement is great news for the patient plaintiffs and will provide them and their families with substantial relief. Beyond this, the settlement serves the public good by highlighting that transparency and full and proper disclosure are paramount to the public and to those regulatory bodies entrusted to protect the public's interests, particularly in the areas of public health and safety. It also highlights the need for continued and stronger regulatory oversight of companies that are in the business of manufacturing and selling life-saving devices to consumers. We believe that with these results, the settlement truly benefits all parties."

Please check this website for further updates.


Individuals eligible to participate in this settlement are:

a) Claimants who submitted a Settlement Consideration Form pursuant to the MDL Court’s July 17, 2007 Settlement Consideration Form Order and the MDL Court’s September 25, 2007 Supplemental Settlement Consideration Form Order.  Also eligible are those Claimants who appeared on a list provided to the parties pursuant to the MDL Court’s September 25, 2007 Supplemental Settlement Consideration Form Order but have as of yet not submitted a Settlement Consideration Form.

b) All individuals with cases pending in the Guidant consolidated Minnesota state court proceeding (No. 62-C4-06-006672) that is pending before Judge William H. Leary, III.

c) All individuals whose name is listed on the list of eligible participants attached to the Master Settlement Agreement.  These names include individuals who have filed cases in other state or federal courts before Dec. 10, 2007.

Counsel must fill out the Settlement Consideration Form and electronically submitted to the email addresses set forth in the Order Regarding Settlement (download from link below) no later than January 15, 2008.   NOTE:  client acceptance is not required by this date.  Those Claimants that have already completed and submitted their Settlement Consideration Form do not have to resubmit a second form.

Should you be unable to submit it electronically or if you know an unrepresented claimant who cannot submit the papers electronically, you can call Elizabeth Peterson at 800-755-0098 for assistance in making an electronic submission.

PLEASE SEE GUIDANT SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS FOR LINKS TO DOWNLOAD IMPORTANT SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ELIZABETH PETERSON AT eap@zimmreed.com or CALL HER AT 800-755-0098

Thank you,

The Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee:

LIEFF, CABRASER, HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP 
Elizabeth Cabraser

LOCKS LAW FIRM, PLLC
Seth R. Lesser

NEBLETT, BEARD & ARSENAULT
Richard J. Arsenault

ZIMMERMAN REED, PLLP
Charles S. Zimmerman