Judge Denies Medtronic's Summary Judgment in Insulin Pump Defect Lawsuits

A significant legal development has emerged in litigation involving Medtronic's MiniMed insulin pump systems, with a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejecting the medical device manufacturer's attempts to dismiss multiple lawsuits alleging product defects.

In a comprehensive order, Judge Elihu Berle found substantial evidence suggesting Medtronic potentially concealed known defects in its insulin pump retainer rings. The judge's analysis indicates that the company may have been aware of serious product issues as early as 2016 but continued to market and sell the devices.

The ruling centers on two related cases: Davis et al. v. Medtronic MiniMed Inc. and Burgess et al. v. Medtronic MiniMed Inc. Judge Berle's order specifically noted that plaintiffs presented compelling evidence demonstrating the company's potential awareness of significant product risks.

Critical to the court's decision was evidence suggesting Medtronic's internal documents revealed knowledge of defective retainer rings and their potential widespread impact. The judge concluded that the company's actions could be interpreted as deliberately concealing product flaws to continue selling insulin pump systems while avoiding potential liability.

Cowper Law LLP, representing over a thousand Type-I diabetics who used the FDA Class 1 recalled 600-series insulin pumps, secured a significant legal victory with this ruling. The cases are scheduled for trial on July 21, 2025, potentially setting a precedent for medical device manufacturer accountability.

The court's decision highlights the critical importance of transparency in medical device manufacturing and the potential consequences of concealing known product defects. For patients relying on medical technology, such legal proceedings underscore the necessity of rigorous safety standards and corporate accountability.