More than 34.2 million Americans, or almost 1 in 10 in the USA, are expected to have diabetes. Many people need insulin to treat their conditions and avoid future health problems. Manufacturers of medical devices like Medtronic create products to enhance people’s health and well-being, but occasionally things go wrong. This article explains insulin pump lawsuits and the payouts from Medtronic lawsuit settlements.
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What is an insulin pump?
The hormone insulin is essential for converting the sugar from food into energy. People with type 1 diabetes frequently need insulin treatment to manage their blood sugar levels since they cannot create enough insulin independently. Both insulin injections and an insulin pump are acceptable forms of insulin treatment.
How is an insulin pump inserted? An insulin pump is a little computerized device. It distributes insulin through a tiny tube that is inserted under your skin. Insulin is required to manage blood sugar levels in all individuals with type 1 diabetes and those with type 2.
MiniMed Insulin Pumps Medtronic
The largest manufacturer of medical equipment worldwide is Medtronic. MiniMed Insulin Pumps Medtronic was the most well-liked and often used of all the conventional insulin pump devices available on the market.
The MiniMed insulin pumps Medtronic was the first insulin delivery system for diabetes when it was initially introduced. Due to its cutting-edge functionality, Medtronic referred to the MiniMed as an “artificial pancreas.”
By monitoring blood glucose every few minutes and automating the administration of insulin, Medtronic insulin pumps are designed to monitor and alter a patient’s blood sugar levels automatically.
The MiniMed Insulin Pump: Is It Secure?
While insulin pumps allow us more control over lowering our blood glucose levels, a few common issues might occasionally arise. Problems with several MiniMed insulin pumps Medtronic put users at risk of life-threatening harm, including:
- Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is brought on by low blood glucose levels. Our body mainly uses glucose for energy. The syndrome is particularly prevalent among people with diabetes who have problems with their medications, diet, or exercise. If an insulin pump system delivers too much insulin, hypoglycemia occurs.
- Hyperglycemia: In cases of hyperglycemia, the body does not produce enough insulin, resulting in excessive blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia, a sign of diabetes, can lead to vomiting, increased hunger and thirst, a fast pulse, eyesight issues, and other symptoms. Serious health issues might result from untreated hyperglycemia. If an insulin pump system delivers too little insulin, hyperglycemia occurs.
- Seizures: A seizure is sudden aberrant electrical activity in the brain. It could pass almost undetected. Or, in more complex situations, it can result in convulsions, which are violent shaking spasms. Patients who use insulin pumps from Medtronic may have this problem.
- Diabetic coma: A diabetic coma is a condition that renders a person unconscious and potentially fatal. A diabetic coma can result from extremely high or low blood sugar in anyone with diabetes. This condition may affect patients who use infusion sets and insulin pumps from Medtronic.
- Ketoacidosis: The cells that make up muscles and other tissues rely heavily on sugar as an energy source. The body burns fat for energy when insulin levels are too low. Ketones, which are acids, begin to accumulate in the circulation as a result. The accumulation might result in diabetic ketoacidosis if it is not managed. Blood glucose levels can rise quickly, ketones begin to form, and there won’t be any insulin administration if the pump or pump site fails.
These are some of the major Medtronic insulin pump issues. If untreated, an excessive insulin level can lead to insulin shock, which can even induce death.
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Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall
On November 21, 2019, the FDA released a safety notice informing the general public and the medical field of a Class I recall for the MiniMed Insulin Pump made by the device manufacturer Medtronic. Class 1 Medtronics insulin pump recall represents the most extensive safety risk and shows a high chance of death or severe damage.
The recall may impact an estimated 322,005 defective Medtronic insulin pumps in the U.S. According to the FDA’s notice, the possibility of a damaged or missing retainer ring on the pump led to the recall of the specific MiniMed pumps.
The retainer ring that’s supposed to secure the cartridge may be absent, cracked, damaged, or missing from the devices. Insulin doses may be incorrect and cause significant hypo or hyperglycemia if the ring is broken or fails to seal the reservoir properly.
Medtronic has had many recalls due to failures in insulin pumps, insulin sets, and insulin reservoirs during the previous ten years.
At least 26,421 complaints of errors, including 2,175 reports of insulin pump injury and, at minimum, one case of fatality, have been submitted to the FDA. Those hurt due to the defect may file new Medtronic recall lawsuits against Medtronic involving the MiniMed Insulin Pump.
The recalled products include the following:
- MiniMed 630G (MMT-1715) manufactured before October 2019
- MiniMed 670G (MMT-1780) manufactured before August 2019
MiniMed 600 series pumps might endanger Type 1 diabetic who is young and old. The MiniMed model 630G pumps were authorized for use in people 16 years of age or older, while the MiniMed model 670G pumps were approved for use in patients over the age of 7.
Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall 2024
Medtronic is recalling nearly 25,000 MiniMed 630G and 700G insulin pumps due to a battery issue that can occur if the pumps are dropped or damaged. This can shorten the battery life, causing the pumps to give less warning before they stop delivering insulin, which can be life-threatening.
The recall was announced by the FDA on October 3, 2024, and classified as a Class I recall, meaning the defect could cause serious injury or death.
The company sent out safety notices on July 31, 2024, advising users to be extra cautious if their pump has been damaged and to always have spare batteries on hand. This recall affects 24,595 units distributed in the U.S. and internationally.
What Should You Do If Your Insulin Pump Is Recalled?
The following advice was given to the pump users:
- Check their pump’s retainer ring.
- If the pump seems broken, loose, or missing, stop using it.
- Stop operating the pump if the reservoir cartridge does not lock into place.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for manual insulin doses if you stop using a pump. If the pump is dropped, look for damage to the pump and retention ring.
- At each set change, check the pump retention ring and make sure the cartridge is sealed correctly.
- Any signs of hypo or hyperglycemia must be immediately reported to a medical expert.
Some victims of broken MiniMed Insulin Pumps may be considering filing Medtronic lawsuits to recover damages for their injuries.
MiniMed Infusion Kit Fatality
Medtronic recalled an additional component in 2017 that could result in excessive insulin delivery from its insulin pumps. Medtronic MiniMed Quick-Set Paradigm Infusion Sets from particular batches were included in the recall.
In 2019, Orlando, Florida, resident Michael Stellato sued Medtronic, alleging that one of the recalled infusion sets was to blame for his wife’s mortality.
According to the lawsuit, Wendy Stellato attempted to drive herself home from work when the kit broke down. While driving, she lost her senses and became bewildered; she chose the wrong exit, and her vehicle became stranded at the end of a muddy road. She was too disoriented to explain where she was to Michael while he called her on her cell phone and tried to find her.
Wendy parked her car and began to stroll. The next day morning, police discovered her body lying in the middle of a rural road. The complaint alleged that “her body posture was compatible with a person losing consciousness and falling backward.”
MiniMed Insulin Pump Plaintiffs
New MiniMed insulin pumps Medtronic complaints were submitted in the Superior Court of California by a group of seven plaintiffs. The plaintiffs said they experienced severe injuries from using insulin pumps from Medtronic’s 600 series meant to treat type 1 diabetes. Later, these cases were transferred to the Central District of California’s U.S. District Court.
With residencies in West Virginia, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, California, and Illinois, Medtronic’s plaintiffs hail from all corners of the nation in this lawsuit. The defendants moved to the Central District of California and intended to file a motion to sever the claims.
The claimants in this Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump lawsuit claim that the insulin pumps Medtronic devices sold by the defendants were faulty and unsuited for their designed purposes and that they were marketed in an unreasonable and unsafe state.
Medtronic’s Pump Failure History
In 2009, due to a manufacturing flaw that might result in the delivery of improper insulin dosages and cause harm or death to people with diabetes, Medtronic Inc. recalled over three million Quick-set infusion sets used with its MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps.
In June 2013, the manufacturer recalled MiniMed Paradigm infusion sets because fluid might enter the vents and prevent the pump from properly priming, resulting in severe or even catastrophic health issues for people with diabetes. In that year, it was one of the four recalls or urgent device alerts involving insulin pumps from Medtronic.
In September 2014, more than half a million MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps from Medtronic were recalled by the maker as a result of allegations that patients had been given the incorrect amount of insulin due to programming issues. Some users unintentionally gave themselves the maximum insulin dose as a result of the problem, which was connected to at least one case of hypoglycemia.
In September 2017, the FDA issued a recall for the Medtronic MiniMed infusion pump in response to complaints of consumers experiencing hypoglycemia brought on by the excessive insulin dose. The vent membrane, a part of the device that can become obstructed by moisture, was the source of the problem. In April 2017, Medtronic stopped using the vent membrane component.
In November 2019, regarding its MiniMed 600 series with an upgraded retainer ring, Medtronic issued a Class I Recall.
Medtronic Lawsuit 2024
As of May 2022, there isn’t any Medtronic insulin pump class action lawsuit in the MDL. Instead, insulin pump attorneys have filed individual Medtronic MiniMed Insulin Pump Recall lawsuits across the nation. Some victims of a broken MiniMed Insulin Pump Medtronic may be considering filing lawsuits to recover damages for their injuries.
Over the past two years, a sizable number of faulty medical pump lawsuits have been filed, and several people whom the pumps have harmed have come forward to seek a Medtronic lawsuit settlement payout. The issues are still in their early stages as of 2024.
Attorneys are asking plaintiffs to come forward and file a Medtronic insulin pump lawsuit 2024.
Regarding Medtronics lawsuit settlement agreements, a lot will rely on the proof of Medtronic’s conduct during the previous six years, including when it was aware of the defective MiniMed devices and whether or not it attempted to hide them.
Medtronic Lawsuit Settlement Update
The amounts of the Medtronic insulin pump lawsuit settlement payout will also be based on the severity of the harm suffered by people who used the company’s faulty insulin pumps, as well as other elements like lost wages, medical expenses, and so on. Now the lawsuit is still in its initial stages.
Eligibility to File an Insulin Pump Lawsuit
You may be qualified to file a Medtronic MiniMed lawsuit to recover damages for your losses if:
- You used one of the recalled MiniMed insulin pumps produced by Medtronic (Model 630G or Model 670G)
- You were hurt and injured as a direct result of utilizing the flawed product.
Injury victims have several expenses and losses connected to their injuries that they can pursue compensation for, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. Damages caused by the insulin devices might also result in wrongful death claims from plaintiffs’ family members.
Need Quality Medical Record Reviews?
Medical record review is collecting evidence to support your claim. LezDo TechMed is here to assess damages in your case and help to fight for your Medtronic class action lawsuit settlement. Our group of professionals in medical chronology services can recognize and identify all relevant medical and legal aspects necessary to the case.
Legal Action for MiniMed Injury
Contact an insulin pump lawyer if you wish to file a lawsuit. You may take a few actions to support your claim against insulin pumps Medtronic if you are eligible for legal action or think you may qualify for Medtronic lawsuit settlement.
- Obeying your doctor’s instructions
- Obtaining a certified injury diagnosis
- Getting medical attention for a wound
- If your doctor deems it safe, talk about replacing your MiniMed with another insulin pump
- Making every effort to reduce the severity of your injuries
To wind up,
Even though Medtronic’s technology is constantly improving, significant hazards still exist. These dangers might put users at risk of severe and long-lasting harm or even death. We do not have accurate info on the total number of Medtronic insulin pump lawsuits. We estimate that it is somewhere in the thousands. The number keeps growing with each passing day. There are many of them, and they are still growing. Take a moment to tell us about your experience.
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