Medtronic Pacemaker Complaint Inadequately Pleaded, La. Federal Judge Rules

NEW ORLEANS — A complaint alleging Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) negligently failed to design and test its pacemaker system does not meet federal pleading requirements because it fails to specify the manufacturing defect or any causal connection between the defect and the injury, a judge has ruled.

On March 18, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana dismissed the claims with prejudice, adding that plaintiffs did not explain how Medtronic’s manufacturing process failed.

On Sept. 1, 2011, Rosemary Timphony received a Medtronic pacemaker system, which included a pulse generator, a right atrial appendage lead and a …