This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Lawmakers have adopted legislation to protect Merit Medical from liability lawsuits stemming from malfunctions of the company's devices.
The so-called "Lampropoulos bill," named for former gubernatorial candidate and Merit Medical founder Fred Lampropoulos, would limit the company's liability for medical devices like catheters and angioplasty balloons that are cleaned and used numerous times. Senate Bill 110 would hold reprocessing companies responsible for any problems with equipment originally intended for a single use.
"Right now, it would be a sue for all," said St. George Republican Rep. Steve Urquhart, an attorney. "The point is to cut off liability at some point."
Calling the legislation a "no-brainer," House members sent the bill to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for his approval with a vote of 64-7.
