I've got the recalled one...how do I proceed

• by oboea2d
• 2013-01-15 09:01:03
• Batteries & Leads
• 1462 views
• 0 comments

I'm one of the "lucky" members of the Pacemaker club that had the Sprint Fidelis lead implanted in 2005 with my first ICD. I got the recall notice in 2007 and my doctor and I have been monitoring the lead. I had an additional lead installed when I got my battery change in 2011 which "piggy-backed" the recalled lead so I would get the needed shock if it was called for. In 2012, I had another lead fail and had it replaced.
NOW....the recalled lead has failed and am scheduled to have it replaced next week.
I understand that Medtronic has acknowledged the problem with this lead and are "settling" with patients who have it. Would my best bet be to contact Medtronics directly, or go through a law firm which is working on this specific thing, or hire my own lawyer to approach the company. I'd like to get an idea of what my best options are before I have my surgery and get the process started....in case the surgery gets complicated and my recovery is unusually long.
Thanks for your imput.