Around 400,000 people use insulin pumps each day in the United States. The devices, which can be used in lieu of a daily injection, can help those with diabetes achieve a better quality of life and provide reassurance that they are getting the insulin they need in the right doses. Yet if these pumps are defective in any way, the consequences can be dangerous, even deadly. That seems to be the case with a large number of Medtronic MiniMed Insulin Pumps, which had to be taken off the market after the FDA issued a recall. Many of those affected by the defective insulin pumps have filed lawsuits against Medtronic, with numerous claims that the MiniMed insulin pumps have caused serious injury – and fatalities. Medtronic insulin pump lawyers are now asking for others to come forward to begin their compensation claims if these faulty devices have injured them or a loved one.
In November 2019, Medtronic was forced to issue a recall for MiniMed Model 630G and 670G insulin pumps distributed from May 2015 to December 2020. The company was alerted to a fault with the retainer ring, which helps lock the insulin cartridge into place in the device. If the cartridge is not locked, the pump can administer an improper dose, either too much insulin or too little insulin. The former can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while the latter can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Both can lead to serious injury or even death. The FDA has classed this as a Class I recall, the most serious type. The FDA states unequivocally that “the use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.” So far, the FDA has cited 463,464 devices for recall. In a further MiniMed recall update, the FDA stated in October 2021 that all MiniMed 600 series devices with a clear retainer ring were eligible to be recalled and replaced. Are you or a person you know still using a recalled device? Please note that Medtronic will replace any of these insulin pumps free of charge, and it has also launched an advice page and telephone helpline for those affected by defective MiniMed insulin pumps.
- February 1, 2023 - Study: The new insulin pump from Medtronic improves blood sugar control for children with diabetes. Due to Type 1 diabetes' high activity level, fluctuating hormones, and continued growth and development, managing blood sugar levels can be difficult for children and teens. Medtronic might have found a solution to this problem, as demonstrated by the recent pediatric study on its MiniMed 780G insulin pump.
- January 1, 2023 - Medtronic Investors are Lead Plaintiff in Pump Quality Lawsuit. Device manufacturer allegedly inflated stock by concealing problems. The Court appoints the lead counsel and local counsel.
- December 1, 2022 - An update from Medtronic website: Urgent Recall Notification: MiniMedTM 630G and MiniMedTM 670G Insulin Pumps with clear retainer ring.
- November 21, 2022 - Medtronic extends wear time of insulin pump infusion sets.
A huge number of defective MiniMed insulin pump lawsuits have been launched over the last two years, and there is a call from lawyers for others affected by the pumps to come forward to pursue compensation. As of 2022, the lawsuits are still at an early stage. As for MiniMed payout settlements, much will depend on the evidence of Medtronic’s actions during the last six years, including when it knew about the faulty MiniMed devices and whether it tried to cover it up. Medtronic settlement amounts will also depend on the level of injury caused in those who have used the company’s defective insulin pumps, as well as additional factors such as the loss of earnings, medical bills, and so on.
Still, the case for those hoping for significant compensation from Medtronic seemed to be bolstered in January 2022 when a damning report appeared in the Star Tribune, a major news outlet in Minnesota, where Medtronic is headquartered. The article highlighted that it took Medtronic three years to solve the problem by replacing faulty MiniMed, and it cited a letter released by the FDA citing serious concerns over how Medtronic was handling the process. The FDA letter said that Medtronic’s corrective actions were still “in process” and that the company had “not yet conducted effectiveness checks to ensure the updated procedures and required employee training will prevent reoccurrence of the identified deficiencies.” In plain English, the FDA is unhappy with the speed of the MiniMed recall and was not fully satisfied that Medtronic had implemented the necessary changes to ensure that this won’t happen again.
Perhaps more damning was the FDA’s criticisms of how Medtronic acted when it first became aware of the faulty MiniMed insulin pumps. One expert told the Star Tribune that Medtronic’s violations were serious and severe, pointing to the fact that Medtronic has received 100s of complaints about MiniMed pumps as far back as 2016, but it decided to scrap plans to alert customers. It seems mindboggling that more than three years elapsed between that time and November 2019 when Medtronic finally issued a warning and product recall. To stress the point, these faulty insulin pumps can cause serious injury and death, which Medtronic seemed to ignore for over three years! This fact and others will likely form key evidence for Medtronic’s lawsuits and potential compensation payout.
As mentioned earlier, the defect in MiniMed insulin pumps was due to a fault in the retainer ring, a crucial part of the device that helps to regulate the amount of insulin administered by the pump. Because it can lead to either too little or too much insulin being administered, it means there can be two distinct types of MiniMed side effects – hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. The former refers to low levels of blood sugar, whereas the latter is high levels of blood sugar. Both conditions are dangerous and can lead to serious injury and death.
The following symptoms may be signs of hypoglycemia:
- Sweating
- Pale skin (pallor)
- Confusion and dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Drowsiness and sleepiness
- Hunger pangs
- Lack of coordination
- Loss of consciousness and seizure
- Death
The following symptoms may be signs of hyperglycemia
- Dry mouth and thirstiness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue and weakness
- Vomiting and nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Frequent urination
- A fruity odor/taste on your breath
- Coma and death
Please note that these are only a small selection of possible hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia symptoms that you may experience after using a faulty MiniMed insulin pump. The list is not exhaustive, and there can be some overlap between the symptoms of each condition. If you are worried, contact your doctor for advice.
While many lawsuits have been launched against Medtronic by those who have suffered injuries due to defective insulin pumps, the MiniMed lawsuits are still at an early stage, and not all evidence has come to light. The key questions include what Medtronic knew about the faulty pumps, whether it was negligent in its manufacturing process, and whether it willfully tried to cover up the MiniMed insulin pump dangers in order to make a profit. The Medtronic insulin pump lawsuits range from those seeking product liability compensation for being sold a defective device to those who allege defective insulin pumps caused them serious injury. The level of Medtronic payout settlement someone will receive would likely depend on individual circumstances, i.e., level of injury, loss of earnings, medical bills (past and present), and so on.
The short answer is neither, for the moment. Class action lawsuits are usually reserved for consumer litigation against a company with all plaintiffs having a similar grievance, so it is possible that some of the product liability lawsuits against Medtronic could be combined into a class action. Plaintiffs would expect to share equally any Medtronic payout for product liability. However, more serious allegations, such as those that say Medtronic caused serious injury or death, would likely not be consolidated into a class action, as each claimant would have different circumstances. If there is a sufficient amount of Medtronic MiniMed injury lawsuits, these may be combined into a multidistrict litigation, which is a type of mass tort. Essentially, this allows for the combining of the cases for efficiency purposes, allowing for fewer court dates, evidence sharing, and so on. However, each plaintiff in a Medtronic personal injury mass tort case would be evaluated as an individual when it comes to Medtronic compensation and settlement amounts.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by defective insulin pumps made by Medtronic, then a MiniMed injury lawyer may be able to help. Medtronic, which is facing another series of lawsuits for problems with its Infuse Bone Graft system, must be held accountable for its role in creating defective products that could cause serious harm or even death. Specialist MiniMed injury law firms are calling for more people to come forward who have been injured by Medtronic insulin pumps, offering to help you secure financial compensation for your injuries.
What is the Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump lawsuit about?
The Medtronic insulin pump lawsuits are focused on faulty devices that Medtronic manufactured and distributed over the period ranging from May 2015 – December 2020. Some of the insulin pump lawsuits allege that Medtronic did not do enough to prevent serious injury and death in those who use the devices to treat diabetes.
Which insulin pump has been recalled?
Initially, Medtronic MiniMed 630G and 670G insulin pumps were recalled in November 2019. The FDA provided an update in October 2021 to say all MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps were now being recalled.
What Medtronic pumps are recalled?
All Medtronic MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps have been recalled, and people are eligible for a free replacement.
Is Medtronic being sued?
Yes, a large number of lawsuits have been filed against Medtronic, with some alleging that faulty MiniMed insulin pumps caused serious injury.
Is Medtronic 670G being recalled?
Yes. The Medtronic MiniMed 670G insulin pumps have been recalled. The FDA warns that the use of these defective devices can cause death or serious injury.
What is the difference between MiniMed 630G and 670G?
MiniMed 670G insulin pumps can be used by people with diabetes aged seven and older. The 630G series insulin pumps can be used by those aged sixteen and over.
