New MDL for Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator claims

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized federal lawsuits alleging that Boston Scientific obtained approval for its spinal cord stimulators based on published literature about other companies' devices rather than its own clinical studies and used supplemental approvals to market significantly modified devices without closer review. Alleged injuries include shocks, burns, and lead migration. The MDL (No. 3181) is before Judge Josephine L. Staton in the Central District of California; the Panel declined to create an industry-wide MDL.

Why it matters. Federal Boston Scientific stimulator injury cases now proceed before one judge; the Panel reported 29 actions pending as of September 1, 2026.

Consult your physician before making any decision regarding a medical device or treatment. Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator systems remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, although in 2026 the FDA classified Boston Scientific's removal of unused Infinion CX leads used with these systems as a Class I recall, which does not apply to leads already implanted.