Class Action Lawsuit Over Medtronic MiniMed Insulin Pumps Filed in Canada

The insulin pumps have been subject to several recalls in recent years.

Amid a growing number of Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump lawsuits being filed in the United States, the manufacturer now faces a national class action lawsuit filed in Canada over the same problems.

Medtronic MiniMed insulin pumps are small, computerized devices intended to deliver specific amounts of insulin to diabetic patients throughout the day via a catheter implanted under the skin. They are wirelessly connected to both the patient’s blood glucose meter and a monitoring system to track glucose levels, as well as a remote controller designed to communicate with the pump and deliver a specific amount of insulin.

When functioning properly, these devices and their components mimic the ways a healthy pancreas works by delivering continuous and controlled doses of rapid-acting insulin, 24 hours a day, to match the user’s body needs. However, following more than 26,000 reports involving Medtronic Minimed pump problems, the manufacturer acknowledged that certain products may be prone to over or under deliver the programmed amount of insulin.

When the MinimMd infusion pumps were recalled, Medtronic indicated there was a defect in the locking retainer rings which prevent the insulin reservoir from being properly set inside the pump when it is loaded, potentially preventing the delivery of life-saving insulin.

The lawsuit filed in Canada involves the MiniMed 630G and 670G insulin pump models, which have been the subject of a number of recalls, including more than half a million recalled last month.

The original Medtronic MiniMed 600 series recall was announced in February, impacting certain 630G and 670G insulin pump models, after the manufacturer acknowledged it was aware of 26,421 complaints in which the pump over or under delivered the programmed amount of insulin, resulting in 2,175 injuries and one death.

The lawsuit alleges that Medtronic knew or should have known the devices contained a defective retainer ring which could result in prevention of the delivery of life-saving insulin, or an insulin overdose. It indicates one of the lead plaintiffs was hospitalized due to severe hyperglycemia.

The case raises allegations similar to those presented in the ongoing litigation pending in the United States, each claiming the manufacturer knew, or should have known, defects with the 600 series insulin pumps posed a serious risk for consumers.

Over the coming months and years, as product liability lawyers continue to investigate claims for individuals who experienced problems after a Medtronic Minimed pump failure, the size and scope of the U.S. litigation is expected to continue to increase, likely involving hundreds of lawsuits that may be filed in courts nationwide.