Millions of Americans with diabetes rely on insulin pumps to manage their health. But what if these medical devices do not work right? Malfunctioning pumps can be scary and lead to severe health and legal problems.
Defective equipment can cause more harm
Medical malpractice can occur when your health care provider does not perform the accepted standard of care and causes you harm. In the context of insulin pumps, this could involve:
- Failing to diagnose your need for an insulin pump properly
- Prescribing an unsuitable pump for your specific needs
- Inadequate training on pump usage and troubleshooting
- Failing to monitor pump function and refill prescriptions on time
- Ignoring or dismissing your concerns about pump malfunctions
Malfunctioning insulin pumps can lead to dangerously high or low blood sugar levels, potentially resulting in serious health issues such as delayed wound healing, increased risk of infection and long-term complications.
If this happens, you may be able to recover a monetary award called damages by pursuing a medical malpractice claim.
Compensation is available for the injured
Generally, you have two years from when you discovered the injury or when a reasonable person should have discovered it. How much compensation you may receive often depends on your specific case. It could be for compensatory, general or special damages. In Michigan, you may receive up to $280,000.
Many successful medical malpractice claims often involve prompt action and assertive legal counsel. If you suspect a faulty insulin pump and inadequate care from your health care provider have caused you harm, consulting with a qualified medical malpractice lawyer is in your best interest.