Medtronic Lawsuits

Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) is a medical device company founded in 1949 that focuses on technology to improve medical treatment of chronic conditions. The company manufactures medical devices used in three categories: cardiovascular, neuroscience and medical-surgical.

It is an American-Irish company, founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company moved its headquarters to Ireland after it acquired Covidien. That company has also been involved in hernia mesh liability claims.

Medtronic is facing lawsuits due to defective medical devices that cause severe patient injuries. These lawsuits include claims of:

• Defective designs of devices or components
• Failure to adequately warn providers and patients about known device risks
• Device malfunctions resulting in injuries
• Recall-related claims

Medtronic devices including spinal cord stimulators, insulin pumps, pain pumps and defibrillators are involved in lawsuits.

Medtronic spinal cord stimulator lawsuits

Medtronic recently began facing new lawsuits regarding its spinal cord stimulator (SCS) devices. These lawsuits allege design defects, manufacturing errors and a failure to warn doctors and patients about serious device risks. The following Medtronic devices are included in the lawsuits:

• Medtronic Inceptiv
• Medtronic Intellis Pro
• Medtronic Vanta

Plaintiffs claim device defects include rapid battery depletion, battery leakage, wire fractures, migration and firmware glitches. These defects have led to severe complications such as:

• Burns
• Central nerve sensitization
• Dysphasia
• Incontinence
• Infection
• Loss of extremity control
• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Spinal cord stimulator implant removal

Read More: Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuits

Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump lawsuits

Some diabetes patients experienced complications from using the MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps with clear retainer rings. They may be eligible to file Medtronic MiniMed insulin pump lawsuits. More than 2,000 injuries and at least one death connected to the MiniMed pumps’ defective retainer ring have been reported. When damaged, the ring interferes with the attachment of the insulin cartridge and may cause incorrect dosing. 

In November 2019, Medtronic initiated a product recall of its 600 series MiniMed insulin pumps. Subsequently, in February 2020, the FDA issued a Class I recall for the defective insulin pumps. The insulin pump recall is still open and includes MiniMed 630G and 670G pump models. 

Read More: MiniMed Lawsuits

Other Medtronic medical device litigation

Motley Rice has been involved in other Medtronic device litigation, including:

• Securities fraud: In 2018, Motley Rice reached a $43 million settlement on behalf of Medtronic investors. The investors said Medtronic lied about how safe a product called the INFUSE Bone Graft was. People who bought Medtronic stock between late 2010 and mid-2011 and lost money were eligible for a payout from the settlement.
• SynchroMed pain pumps: Medtronic’s SynchroMed pumps have been involved in a number of recalls and product liability cases. In July 2009, an issue with the pain pumps relating to the formation of a filmy substance within the pump battery was reported. This substance allegedly caused the device to shut down suddenly, allowing a patient’s pain and symptoms to return or triggering withdrawal symptoms. In 2019, Medtronic established a settlement fund of $35 million to compensate victims of the faulty pumps. 
• Medtronic defibrillator lawsuits: In 2007, after hundreds of patients experienced issues, Medtronic announced a malfunction in its Sprint Fidelis heart defibrillator. The company identified a potentially high rate of fracture of the Sprint Fidelis electrical wires. Fractures altered the device’s ability to accurately read heart rhythms. This defect allegedly caused the device to misfire and shock the patient. Or, it failed to provide a critical, life-saving shock to the patient. 

Patients harmed by Medtronic products may be able to file a Medtronic lawsuit in state or federal court to hold the company accountable. Eligibility might depend on the specific device and the following factors:

• Device: Which Medtronic product was implanted or used
• Device problem: Whether the device malfunctioned, failed, migrated or was recalled
• Injury: How serious the injury associated with the device was
• Treatment: Whether revision, removal, hospitalization or other significant treatment was required
• Timing: When the device was used and when the problem or injury occurred

The structure of Medtronic litigation varies depending on the device and claims involved.

The medical attorneys at Motley Rice have experience representing many clients impacted by allegedly defective medical devices, drugs and other medical products.

If a medical device intended to help you or a loved one made you sick, our team can help by:

• Identifying potentially harmful medicines and devices
• Investigating whether the medicine is linked to your illness or injury
• Reviewing the manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
• Examining whether the manufacturer’s warning to you about potential side effects was adequate
• Identifying other issues that could affect your potential claim
• Uncovering potential manufacturing defects or issues with the manufacturing process
• Reviewing the applicable statute of limitations

Learn more about our medical device litigation experience here.

Do not stop using a prescribed medical device without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medical device without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death. Certain Medtronic medical devices remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.