In late 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled several models of Medtronic insulin pumps. The recall is a Class 1, the most serious recall classification. It comes after almost 30,000 complaints were issued by patients and patient families regarding the pumps. The malfunctioning pumps have allegedly caused more than 2,000 injuries and at least one death.
If a Medtronic insulin pump has injured you or a loved one, you need to reach out to the Los Angeles Medtronic pump failure attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg. We are equipped to handle even the most complex injury and product liability claims.
Recall Details
The reason for this major recall is due to missing or broken retainer rings which help secure the insulin cartridge in the pump’s reservoir compartment. If the cartridge is not secure, too much or too little insulin may be delivered to a Type I diabetic patient.
The malfunctioning insulin pumps can cause an insulin overdose which can lead to hyperglycemia or a steep increase in a person’s blood sugar. If the patient is getting too little insulin, it can lead to hypoglycemia or a severe drop in blood sugar.
Both conditions can have devastating effects on patients, but severe hyperglycemia can result in:
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Death
The specific pumps listed in this recall are two models of the Medtronic MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pumps. There are more than 300,000 devices in the United States. A list of the recalled models include:
- Model 630 G (MMT-1715) – sold and distributed from September 2016 to October 2019
- Model 670 G (MMT 1780) – sold and distributed from June 2017 to August 2019
After the recall, Medtronic notified their customers and provided a list of instructions in examining the pump’s retainer ring, advising them to:
- Continue use if the reservoir locks in place securely
- Check the retainer ring and verify the reservoir locks properly during every use
- Discontinue use and contact Medtronic if the reservoir does not lock into the pump or if the retainer ring is damaged, loose, or missing. If you do discontinue use, follow doctors’ recommendations in performing manual insulin injections
- Be careful not to drop the pump, but if accidentally dropped, check the pump and retainer ring for damages and stop use if damaged
Contacting a Los Angeles Medtronic pump failure attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to the use of a recalled Medtronic pump, you will need someone with the resources to thoroughly investigate the case. These types of claims can be tricky, and the Los Angeles’ Medtronic pump failure attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg have the experience to recover the compensation you deserve.
The total amount and sort of compensation are determined on the specific factors involved in the case, but this compensation may include:
- Coverage of medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering damages
Do not delay in contacting us by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904 for a free consultation.