Minnesota-based Medtronic has announced that it will cut thousands of jobs worldwide. The medical device manufacturing giant has been in the spotlight over the past few years for allegedly downplaying the serious side effects of its InFUSE bone graft and for providing doctors with kickbacks to promote the device.

Are Cutbacks a Result of Litigation & Bad Press?

According to CBS Minnesota, Medtronic has decided to scale back its global workforce by approximately 2,000 jobs – 500 of those in its home state of Minnesota. While some think that the company’s recent announcement of cutbacks may have to do with rising litigation costs over its InFUSE bone graft system and the controversy surrounding its promotion of unapproved product uses, the company has not addressed this speculation.

InFUSE Bone Graft Side Effects

Patients have reported serious InFUSE bone graft side effects, including severe and chronic pain, male sterility, cancer, infection and bone loss. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has also reported that additional risks may be associated with the device when it is used in surgeries of the upper spine and neck, including cervical fusions–uses that are not approved by the FDA. The company has been strongly criticized for encouraging off-label uses of the product and has been accused of paying millions of dollars in illegal kickbacks to doctors to do just that.

Medical device manufacturers should not put profits over consumer safety. If you’ve been injured by Medtronic’s InFUSE bone graft medical device, contact The Driscoll Firm, LLC, to determine if you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Medical device manufacturers must be held accountable for their actions – and inactions – when it comes to consumer safety. Let our firm’s experience help you get the compensation you deserve.