Endoscopic Technologies Qui Tam Action–$1.2 Million Settlement
Case name: United States ex rel. Bennett v. Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.
Case type: Whistleblower and Qui Tam
Filed in: [U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas]
Docket: [Case No.: H-07-2705]
Case Summary
In July 2009, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and the U.S. Government settled a whistleblower action under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) with Endoscopic Technologies, Inc. (“Estech”), a medical device manufacturer.
As part of the settlement, Estech agreed to pay the government $1.4 million. The Relator, who was represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, received $210,000, or 17% of the settlement.
The Complaint alleged that Estech marketed its medical devices to treat atrial fibrillation, a use not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The Complaint also alleged that Estech promoted expensive heart surgeries using the company’s devices when less invasive alternatives were appropriate; advised hospitals to up-code surgical procedures using the company’s devices to inflate Medicare reimbursements; and paid kickbacks to healthcare providers to use its devices.
Procedural History
News Coverage
- San Ramon firm settles FDA suit for $1.4 million, denies wrongdoing, East Bay Times, July 14, 2009