Teen Insulin Pump Lawsuits

According to a report by the FDA in May 2008, insulin pump problems among teens could lead to a risk of death or serious injury. Issues could be caused by a product defect which results in a malfunction or by medical malpractice as a result of a providers failure to properly instruct the child and family on the proper use and care of the pump.

STATUS OF INSULIN PUMP LITIGATION: Potential medical malpractice lawsuits are being evaluated and reviewed

OVERVIEW: An FDA analysis of data involving adverse events over a ten year period found over 1,500 injuries and 13 insulin pump deaths associated with the use of the medical devices among children between 12 and 21 with Type 1 diabetes. Many of these problems could have been prevented if the parents and teens had been properly educated about how to use the insulin pumps and care for the medical devices.

THEORY: Medical Malpractice

Physicians and healthcare providers have a duty to make certain that a child is properly educated on the use and maintenance of an insulin pump before prescribing the medical device.

An evaluation of a teens ability to properly follow the regimen should be completed before an insulin pump is considered. Both parents and teens should be properly educated about the risks associated with use of an insulin pump and the proper care which must be taken to avoid the risk of potentially fatal injuries.

To determine if an injury or death associated with the use of an insulin pump by a teenage may give rise to an insulin pump lawsuit, consult with a medical malpractice lawyer to review the circumstances surrounding the treatment and injury.