Medtronic MiniMed 670G Lawsuit Alleges Insulin Pump Defect Caused Wrongful Death

Son says father died due to diabetic ketoacidosis after retainer ring on a recalled MiniMed insulin pump failed.

A Washington man’s death was allegedly caused by a defective Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump, according to a recently filed product liability lawsuit.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Roy McNairy on behalf of the estate of Scott Alan McNairy, his late father, naming Medtronic Inc., and its MiniMed subsidiary as the defendants. Originally filed in Washington state court, the lawsuit was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on June 29.

McNairy alleges that a defective retainer ring in the insulin pump failed, causing his father’s death due to complications from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The same insulin pump design was recalled in 2020 due to problems with the the retaining ring, which has been prone to breaking, loosening or potentially disconnecting the insulin reservoir.

Medtronic MiniMed insulin pumps are designed to help diabetics control their blood glucose levels. They provide a steady, continuous flow of insulin throughout the day, along with extra doses when necessary.

However, if the insulin pumps fail to provide the proper amount of insulin, either too much or too little, it can cause serious and life-threatening side effects. Too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia, leading to confusion, seizures or even death, while too little insulin can cause high blood sugar and, over time, diabetic ketoacidosis, another life-threatening condition.

The insulin pump linked to McNairy’s death was the subject of a Medtronic MiniMed recall in February 2020, due to the risk of insulin overdoses believed to be caused by the defective retainer rings. The problem was linked to more than 2,000 injuries and at least one patient death.

According to the lawsuit, Scott McNairy used a Medtronic MiniMed Model 670G MMT-1780 insulin pump to regulate his glucose levels until he suffered severe health problems on June 26, 2023. McNairy was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with hyperglycemia.

McNairy suffered diabetic acidosis with cardiorespiratory arrest and died that same day. His son’s complaint indicates that his father’s death was due to the defective clear retainer ring design.

“The reservoir can become loose due to a broken or missing retainer ring that prevents a proper lock. If the reservoir is not properly locked into the pump, it could lead to over or under delivery of insulin, which could then result in hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.”

– Roy McNairy et al. v. Medtronic MiniMed Inc. et al.

The lawsuit presents claims of construction defect, defective design, failure to warn, breach of express and/or implied warranty, negligence, and statutory wrongful death and survival claims. It seeks compensatory damages for past medical damages, hospital expenses, pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress and the humiliation his father may have suffered prior to his death.

Medtronic MiniMed Lawsuits

The retainer ring recall was only one of multiple MiniMed recalls issued over the last several years, due to ongoing safety concerns involving insulin dosing errors, device malfunctions and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This has led to an increasing number of MiniMed lawsuits filed in courts nationwide.

When the pump’s reservoir is disconnected due to the defective retainer ring, patients are at risk of receiving too little insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the most serious potential complications. It develops when the body lacks sufficient insulin to process glucose, forcing it to break down fat and produce dangerous ketone levels. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, rapid breathing and fruity-smelling breath. Without immediate treatment, DKA can lead to dehydration, organ failure or death.

Overdoses are not the only problem linked to the insulin pumps. In September 2022, the FDA warned that certain MiniMed pumps contained cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to the device’s wireless communication system when in close proximity. This risk was heightened when the pump was connected to other devices, such as continuous glucose monitors, blood glucose meters or CareLink USB systems.