Defective defibrillators fail to warn users when it is time for a new battery

David Mittleman

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 430

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Between 250,000 to 450,000 Americans suffer from a cardiac arrest. Without a properly functioning defibrillator, most victims of cardiac arrest don’t stand a chance of survival.

On April 2, 2009, Zoll Medical Corporation, a major manufacturer of defibrillators that are used in public places such as airports issued a warning that up to 180,000 units could have a defect that fails to warn users when the battery must be replaced. Without a properly charged battery, the units are unable to send the required shock to a patient who is undergoing cardiac arrest. Four cases were identified by the company where the shock was not sent, and of those four cases, two resulted in the death of the patient in dire need of the defibrillators electric shock.