In November 2019, the FDA issued a Class 1 recall of Medtronic’s MiniMed Model 630G and 670G insulin pumps, which had been distributed to patients from May 2015 to December 2020. The pumps had defective retainer rings that locked the insulin cartridge in place. When the cartridge wasn’t locked, the patient could receive an improper dose. When there was too much insulin, the result could be hypoglycemia, but when too little insulin was given, the result could be high blood sugar, leading to serious injuries or death. Class action lawsuits were filed in connection with these pumps.
The recalled pumps were replaced by the Medtronic Diabetes Pump 770g. However, these, too, may have the potential for malfunctioning and harm. If, for example, a malfunctioning results in too much insulin at once, the patient’s diabetic coma could lead to death. Other errors of insulin may happen because of infusion site issues, insulin stability issues, user error, or pump failures.
Attorneys for Product Liability LawsuitsOur Chicago-based lawyers may be able to bring a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer if you were injured by a defective insulin pump prescribed to you for diabetes. Product liability lawsuits may be brought in connection with marketing, manufacturing, or design defects. If, for example, a single pump was dumping too much insulin into the body at once because a component was not made correctly in the factory, it likely would have a manufacturing defect. However, if all the pumps have a flaw that periodically results in a misreading of insulin levels and too little insulin being provided, they may have a design defect. It’s important to discuss your situation with a seasoned attorney who understands the potential technical issues and works with reputable experts.
Each state follows its own rules about these suits. Theories it may be appropriate to recover under include strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.
Wrongful DeathIf you lost a loved one due to a manufacturer’s wrongful act, neglect, or default, you may be able to pursue damages for wrongful death under Illinois law. These lawsuits can be brought in situations where the decedent could have pursued a personal injury lawsuit had she survived.
When our lawyers are successful, damages can be awarded and paid to the decedent’s surviving spouse and next of kin. Kin are evaluated according to how much they relied on the decedent. The damages are typically meant to compensate survivors for both concrete and intangible losses. They can include burial and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of instruction for the decedent’s surviving children, loss of consortium for a surviving spouse, and grief, sorrow, and mental suffering.
Consult a Seasoned Chicago Product Liability AttorneyIf you have diabetes and believe you were harmed or your loved one died due to a defective Medtronic insulin pump, you should call the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group about whether you have a claim. You should retain the device that injured you, as well, as evidence. We represent patients all across the country. Please complete our online form or give us a call at 312.462.1700.