Lawsuit Alleges FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus, iLet Insulin Pump Device Failures Caused Death

FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor allegedly provided an inaccurate glucose reading, causing an insulin pump to deliver unnecessary treatments that triggered a hypoglycemic event.

A Kentucky widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging inadequate safeguards in connected diabetes management devices exposed her husband to a fatal insulin overdose.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Shannon Johnson, individually and on behalf of the estate of her husband, Bennie Johnson, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky on October 1. It names Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. and Beta Bionics Inc. as defendants.

Johnson claims the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor falsely indicated her husband’s glucose level was extremely high, causing a wirelessly connected iLet ACE Pump from Beta Bionics to administer insulin twice overnight.

FreeStyle Libre 3 Recalls

FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus are wearable continuous glucose monitoring systems that track glucose levels throughout the day, providing information users can rely on to manage diabetes and determine appropriate insulin doses.

In July 2024, Abbott issued a recall for certain FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors that could report inaccurately high glucose levels. The FDA designated the action as a Class I recall in September 2024, indicating use of the affected sensors could lead to serious injuries or death.

Abbott initiated another corrective action in November 2025, involving more than 3 million FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors that could generate falsely low readings. After hundreds of injuries and deaths were reported, the FDA designated that action as a Class I recall in January 2026.

Since then, a series of FreeStyle Libre lawsuits have been filed, alleging inaccurate glucose readings led users to make inappropriate treatment decisions, resulting in hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and other serious health complications.

DKA is a potentially fatal complication of diabetes that develops when insufficient insulin causes ketones to accumulate to dangerous levels in the blood.

FreeStyle Libre 3 Wrongful Death Allegations

According to the complaint, Bennie Johnson was working at a job site in North Carolina on the evening of October 8, 2025, when his FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor allegedly reported a glucose level of approximately 400.

The complaint indicates the system administered insulin at about 8 p.m. based on the sensor reading and its communication with the Beta Bionics pump. Approximately four hours later, around midnight, Johnson allegedly received another dose of insulin.

However, his widow claims the glucose readings were inaccurate and the insulin was contraindicated. The lawsuit alleges the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus malfunctioned by failing to accurately measure Johnson’s glucose, while the iLet ACE Pump failed to adequately evaluate or verify the data, limit or suspend insulin delivery, or warn against an inappropriate dose.

Johnson subsequently experienced a severe drop in blood sugar, causing him to become hypoglycemic, lose consciousness and become incapacitated, the lawsuit claims. After he failed to appear at the work site the following morning, a coworker found him dead.

The filing maintains Johnson’s diabetes was well-managed before the incident and alleges he would have survived if the glucose sensor had provided accurate readings and the insulin pump had prevented the inappropriate doses.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct and defective products, Mr. Johnson died and his Estate and surviving spouse suffered substantial damages.”

— Shannon Johnson v. Abbott Laboratories Inc. et al.

Johnson’s widow claims Abbott knew before her husband’s death that FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors could produce dangerously inaccurate high-glucose readings, pointing to the company’s prior recall as evidence that it was aware of the potential problem.

Despite that knowledge, the lawsuit alleges Abbott failed to adequately disclose the scope and consequences of the inaccurate-reading risk, implement sufficient corrective measures or prevent potentially affected sensors from remaining on the market.

The complaint also raises allegations against Beta Bionics, claiming the iLet ACE Pump lacked sufficient safeguards, dose limits, verification protocols, suspension features and alerts to prevent inappropriate insulin delivery based on inaccurate glucose information.

Johnson maintains both companies failed to adequately test and monitor how the devices functioned together and failed to provide sufficient warnings about the potential for inaccurate readings, unsafe device interactions, inappropriate insulin delivery, severe hypoglycemia and death.

The complaint raises allegations of strict product liability, negligence, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranties, fraudulent concealment and omission, wrongful death and loss of consortium. It seeks compensatory and wrongful death damages, funeral and related expenses, punitive damages and other relief.

Abbott FreeStyle Libre Lawsuits

Abbott faces a number of claims brought by individuals who allege inaccurate FreeStyle Libre sensor readings led to serious injuries after they relied on incorrect data to make insulin dosing and other diabetes treatment decisions.

Individuals who experienced serious health complications after using a recalled FreeStyle Libre 3 or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitor may be eligible to seek financial compensation. Injuries linked to allegedly inaccurate 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 evaluating potential claims nationwide for individuals and families who experienced serious injuries after relying on inaccurate glucose readings. Free consultations are available to determine whether a claim may be pursued and there are no legal fees unless compensation is recovered.

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