FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor Lawsuit Claims Defect Triggered False Diabetes Emergency

Lawsuit claims hospital testing revealed blood sugar levels substantially higher than those reported by the allegedly defective sensor.

A New York man has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a defective FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus glucose sensor repeatedly reported dangerously low blood sugar levels, leading him to seek emergency medical treatment for a suspected diabetic crisis that hospital tests ultimately found had not occurred.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Andrew Vincent in New York Supreme Court on October 20, naming Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Laboratories and other unidentified entities as defendants.

Vincent claims Abbott failed to provide timely notice of a known sensor problem, leaving him unaware of a potentially relevant safety warning until after his emergency room visit.

FreeStyle Libre 3 Recalls

The FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus are wearable continuous glucose monitors that measure blood sugar levels throughout the day, helping people with diabetes make treatment decisions, including how much insulin to administer.

In July 2024, Abbott announced a FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor recall after discovering that certain devices could produce falsely elevated glucose readings. The FDA classified the recall as Class I in September 2024, its most serious designation, which is reserved for product problems that may cause severe injuries or death.

A separate FreeStyle Libre 3 recall was initiated in November 2025, affecting more than 3 million FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors that could display glucose levels lower than they actually were. Following reports of hundreds of injuries and multiple deaths, the FDA classified the action as a Class I recall in January 2026.

The recalls have been followed by a growing number of FreeStyle Libre 3 lawsuits, which allege that inaccurate blood sugar readings caused users to make unsafe diabetes treatment decisions, leading to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and other potentially life-threatening complications.

DKA occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin and begins producing excessive ketones, causing dangerous levels of acid to build up in the bloodstream. Without prompt treatment, the condition can be fatal.

FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor Defect Claims

According to the complaint, Vincent was traveling in the Florida Keys on December 26, 2025, when his FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor repeatedly displayed dangerously low blood sugar readings, including measurements of 44 mg/dL and 41 mg/dL, which he interpreted as signs of a potential hypoglycemic emergency.

Vincent claims he did not have access to a finger-stick blood glucose meter to independently confirm the sensor’s measurements. He says he took steps to address the apparent low blood sugar and sought emergency treatment at Mariners Hospital/Baptist Health in Tavernier, Florida.

However, hospital testing produced blood sugar readings of approximately 183 mg/dL and 184 mg/dL, substantially higher than those displayed by Vincent’s sensor. The lawsuit maintains that the discrepancy, along with a subsequent physician’s assessment, supports his claim that the device malfunctioned.

Hospital records also documented blood pressure of 191/109 and a heart rate of 108 beats per minute. Vincent claims the apparent emergency caused him distress and physical discomfort, and he paid $500 for the emergency department visit.

The complaint cites a letter from Halper Family Medicine indicating that Vincent’s emergency visit resulted from a malfunctioning continuous glucose monitor that consistently reported low readings, and that the physician considered emergency evaluation appropriate because Vincent lacked access to a finger-stick meter.

Court filings also reference a notice from Fidelis Care/Express Scripts dated December 16, 2025, concerning the November 24, 2025 safety alert. The notice reportedly warned that a recently filled FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus prescription might be affected by a recall or safety issue involving inaccurate readings.

Although the notice was dated 10 days before the December 26 incident, Vincent claims he did not receive it until afterward. He maintains Abbott failed to provide timely and effective warnings that would have allowed him to identify and stop using a potentially affected sensor. An earlier warning may also have prompted him to stop relying on the sensor and obtain a replacement or alternative glucose monitoring method, potentially avoiding the emergency room visit.

“The subject sensor contained a manufacturing defect when it left the responsible manufacturer’s control, causing it to generate falsely low readings rather than perform within its intended glucose-monitoring specifications.”

— Andrew Vincent v. Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. et al.

The lawsuit raises allegations of manufacturing defect, negligence, failure to warn and breach of implied warranty of merchantability. It seeks at least $250,000 in compensatory damages, along with recoverable medical expenses, other proven losses, interest and court costs.

Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Lawsuits

Abbott faces a number of lawsuits alleging that defective FreeStyle Libre glucose sensors provided inaccurate blood sugar readings, causing users to make inappropriate insulin dosing and diabetes management decisions that resulted in serious health complications.

Individuals who suffered severe injuries after relying on a recalled FreeStyle Libre 3 or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitor may qualify for financial compensation. Reported injuries and complications associated with allegedly faulty glucose readings include:

• Wrongful death
• Severe hypoglycemia
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Other acute metabolic emergencies requiring hospitalization

FreeStyle Libre 3 lawyers are reviewing potential cases throughout the United States on behalf of individuals and families affected by allegedly defective glucose sensors. Case evaluations are free and confidential, with no attorney fees unless a financial recovery is obtained.

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