September 13, 2007

Dr. Wes is distinctly unimpressed with the settlement negotiated by 35 state attorneys general with the maker of implantable defibrillators, which he says tries to take credit for a problem-reporting system although one already exists. As for the $16.75 million payout, less than a million will go to affected patients, while the bulk appears destined to flow into the great circular fund that is the AGs' own litigation budgets. "Given how little is returned to the patients affected, our legal system should be embarrassed instead of gloating about their achievements in press releases. But at least our patients can expect higher prices for future defibrillator models to offset these predatory suits."