Corporate Whistblower Comments On The October 2013 DOJ Press Release Regarding The Alleged Deficiency Of Guidant Devices And A Opportunity For Healthcare Whistleblowers

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America's Watchdog 6

Apr 09, 2014, 03:00 ET


(PRWEB) April 09, 2014 -- The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, "We believe defective medical devices, or pharmaceutical products are a much bigger problem than anyone knows, because companies frequently hide the defect, or a problem with the product. As we would like to explain to a insider the rewards for this type of well documented information can potentially produce gigantic rewards for the whistleblower." For more information potential whistleblowers can contact the Corporate Whistleblower Center anytime at 866-714-6466.

In a recent development, according to a October 2013 Justice Department press release, a medical device company allegedly put recipients of a heart defibrillator at extreme risk. The press release indicated the company allegedly involved is called Guidant. Devices produced by Guidant at issue are implantable defibrillators which are used by patients at risk of cardiac arrest due to an irregular heartbeat. These devices are surgically implanted into patients’ chests, and when the devices detect an irregular heartbeat, they send an electrical pulse to the heart to “shock” it back to its normal rhythm. The government’s complaint alleged that two lines of implantable cardiac devices manufactured and sold by Guidant, known as the Prizm 2 and the Renewal 1 and 2, contained a defect that resulted in “arcing.” Arcing occurs when the device detects the irregular heartbeat and delivers a shock, but instead of the current traveling to the heart, the current “arcs” back to the device itself. This causes the device to short circuit, rendering the device ineffective and putting the user's health at serious risk. http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter

The government also alleged that Guidant learned as early as April 2002 that the Prizm was defective, and as early as November 2003 that the Renewal 1 and 2 were similarly defective. Although Guidant took corrective action to fix the defects, allegedly the company continued to sell its remaining stock of the defective versions of the devices. Furthermore, the government alleged that as Guidant learned about the cause of the defect, it took steps to mask the problem from patients, doctors, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the Justice Department in this particular instance the whistleblower will receive $2.25 million dollars for their information.

The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, "If you are an insider, employee at a medical device company, or pharmaceutical company and you know your product is defective, or dangerous please call us at 866-714-6466. With your call, we will carefully explain how the federal whistleblower reward program works. If we are satisfied your proof is well enough documented we will suggest the names of some of the nation's leading whistleblower attorneys to you. Get rewarded!" http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com

Simple rules for a whistleblower from the Corporate Whistleblower Center:

  • Do not go to the government first if you are a major whistleblower. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Major whistleblowers frequently go to the federal government thinking they will help. It’s a huge mistake.”
  • Do not go to the news media with your whistleblower information. Public revelation of a whistleblower’s information could destroy any prospect for a reward.
  • Do not try to force a government contractor, or corporation to come clean to the government about their wrongdoing. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Fraud is so rampant among federal contractors that any suggestion of exposure might result in an instant job termination, or harassment of the whistleblower. Come to us first, tell us what type of information you have, and if we think it’s sufficient, we will help find the right law firms to assist in advancing your information.”
  • The Corporate Whistleblower Center wants to emphasize there are high quality whistleblowers in every state including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Any type of insider or employee who possesses significant proof of their employer or a government contractor defrauding the federal government is encouraged to contact to Corporate Whistleblower Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or via their web site at http://CorporateWhistleBlowerCenter.Com

For attribution purposes please refer to the US Department of Justice press release on this matter: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/October/13-civ-1107.html

Federal case number: The civil case is United States ex rel. Allen v. Guidant LLC et al., No. 11-CV-22 (D. Minn.

M Thomas Martin, America's Watchdog 6, http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com, +1 (866) 714-6466, [email protected]