Washington Man Awarded $40.1 Million for Heart Injury by Defective Product

By Sarah Harper

Published on May 02, 2008

The victim, Paramjit Singh, was injured during cardiac bypass surgery at Providence Everett Medical Center in 2004. The surgeons monitored his condition with a heart monitor designed by Edwards Lifesciences. During the surgery, one of the catheters in the heart monitor malfunctioned and overheated, searing Singh’s heart and causing permanent injury. Providence transferred Singh to the University of Washington Medical Center, where he was put in a chemical coma until a heart transplant could be arranged.

Because of the injury, Singh underwent a heart transplant. He also faces life-long medical problems and is expecting a kidney transplant.

According to court documents, Edwards Lifesciences became aware of a software defect in 1998. However, the company did not correct the problem or advise healthcare providers of the flaw. Instead, it re-designed the monitors and redistributed them in 2003. It was not until 2006, almost two years after Singh’s 2004 injury, that Edwards recalled the product.

On March 10, a 12-member Snohomish Superior Court jury found Edwards 99.9 negligent for Singh’s injuries. The jury awarded Singh $40.1 million, including $8.35 million in punitive damages. The jury did not find Providence Hospital responsible for Singh’s injuries, and awarded the Hospital $310,000 in damages.