When they found themselves facing wrongful death allegations (again), Medtronic MiniMed turned to a defense they were already familiar with: a preemption defense. Their efforts met with success when they secured a dismissal at the summary judgment stage.

Case Details: Rieger v. Medtronic MiniMed, Inc., Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No.: 20STCV33401

Did Medtronic MiniMed Downplay the Risks and Exaggerate the Benefits?

According to the plaintiff, Rieger, Medtronic violated manufacturing and safety standards; the complaint argued that Medtronic downplayed the risks of the insulin pump while exaggerating the benefits. Rieger's wrongful death lawsuit alleged that a defective Medtronic insulin pump caused significant injuries.

Preemption Defense: Medtronic MiniMed's Tried and True Method of Case Dismissal

Medtronic MiniMed, a global medical technology company that develops and manufactures healthcare technologies and therapies, acquired MiniMed in 2001. MiniMed insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems are often used for diabetes treatment. Medtronic MiniMed approached the wrongful death lawsuit with a preemption defense, arguing that state law claims should be dismissed because the state claims are preempted by federal law under the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause.

The Case: Rieger v. Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.

Rieger v. Medtronic MiniMed, Inc., was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. After extensive litigation and briefing, the court concluded that the insulin pump used by the plaintiff was U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved and subject to the rigorous premarket approval process. This meant the plaintiff's California state law claims were preempted (under the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Riegel v. Medtronic (128 S. Ct. 999)).

If you have questions about filing a California wrongful death lawsuit, please contact Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Knowledgeable wrongful death attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in Riverside, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Chicago.