St. Jude Medical spinal stimulator sued

A St. Tammany Parish resident has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a spinal stimulator which was designed to provide back pain relief.

Claiming the device was defective, Melinda S. Hinkel and Bret P. Hinkel filed suit against St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc. on June 14, 2011 in St. Tammany Parish District Court. The defendant removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on July 8.

Melinda Hinkel had a spinal stimulator manufactured by St. Jude Medical implanted in June 2009. The product was designed to provide relief for back pain. Hinkel states she continued to have back and related pain until the "ANS Stimulator" was removed.

According to the lawsuit, the device was defective and had not been functioning properly during the year of its implantation.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, loss of consortium, court costs and interest.

Hinkel is represented by Metairie attorney Anthony L. Glorioso.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01608