Riata Lead Claims Against St. Jude Not Preempted, Wash. Federal Judge Rules

SEATTLE — A claim accusing St. Jude Medical Inc. of failing to comply with federal standards in its manufacture of Riata cardiac defibrillator leads is not federally preempted because it is not based wholly on federal law, nor does it impose a state requirement that is "different from, or in addition to" the federal requirements, a Washington federal judge has ruled.

On Nov. 22, Judge Robert S. Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington further found the facts set forth in the complaint state a “plausible” ground for relief and are therefore adequately pled.

K. …