Walters
NEW ORLEANS - The manufacturers of recalled blood glucose meters are being sued by a Jefferson Parish couple after inaccurate readings allegedly caused the man to take too much insulin and suffer a diabetic coma.
Lenora A. Cousin and Leslie Cousin filed suit against Diabetes Management and Supplies, Lifescan Inc. and Johnson & Johnson on Dec. 14 in Jefferson Parish District Court. The defendants removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on Jan. 25.
Leslie Cousin is diabetic and used OneTouch Ultra Blood Glucose Meter and diabetes glucose meter test strips, which were manufactured and supplied by the defendants, the lawsuit claims.
It also claims that the glucose meter gave Cousin an inaccurate reading and measurement of his blood sugar level, which caused him to take an overdose of insulin and diabetic medication. Cousin went into a diabetic coma on Dec. 18, 2010 and suffered permanent damage to his health.
A week after the incident, the plaintiffs learned that the glucose test strip products were recalled by the manufacturers, the suit says.
The defendants are accused of defectively designing and manufacturing the products.
Leslie Cousin is asking the court for an award of damages for medical expenses, lost wages, earnings and income, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, physical injury and disability, emotional pain, suffering and anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, interest and court costs. Lenora Cousin is asking the c
ourt for an award of damages for loss of consortium.
The plaintiffs are represented by Edward J. Walters, Jr. and Darrel J. Papillion of Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens LLC in Baton Rouge.
U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-00241