Understanding IVC Filter Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

Medical devices, while many save lives, some can lead to complications that have lasting effects. One such device is the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter. As an IVC filter lawyer, KBA is familiar with these devices.

An Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter is a small, cage-like medical device surgeons implant into the inferior vena cava (a large vein that carries blood from the lower body to the heart. The filter intends to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism.

Why do doctors use IVC filter implants?

Inferior Vena Cava filters are typically for patients who are at risk for developing blood clots. In particular, doctors may use IVC filter implants with patients who cannot take traditional blood-thinning medications. These filters catch and trap blood clots before they can reach the heart and lungs. This helps prevent life-threatening pulmonary embolisms.

Why Are There IVC Filter Lawsuits?

Unfortunately, some patients with an Inferior Vena Cava filter experienced serious complications. Injuries and complications  lawyers allege in lawsuits include:

• Inferior Vena Cava filter migration
• Inferior Vena Cava filter puncture or perforate the vena cava
• Inferior Vena Cava fragments, leading to to embolism
• Blood clots
• Pain
• Infection beyond infections that are part of the expected risks associated with surgery

One consequence of these complications is Inferior Vena Cava filter removal; however surgeons sometimes cannot remove the filter implants so there is no filter removal surgery. These filter complications can led to numerous lawsuits.

What Kinds of IVC Filters are There?

Inferior Vena Cava filter lawsuits concerning their failures and subsequent removals include the following filter types:

• Cook Medical
• Bard
• Cordis
• Argon

Some patients do not know what Inferior Vena Cava filter the surgeon implanted or the type that was removed. An IVC filter attorney may obtain records to find out.

IVC Filter Lawsuits

These failures have led to numerous lawsuits concerning the Cook filter, Bard filter, and others. Patients who had an Inferior Vena Cava filter and filter removal surgery assert various product liability claims through their  attorney.

Legal Action Against IVC Filter Manufacturers

If you experienced complications from an Inferior Vena Cava filter, you may be eligible to have a IVC filter attorney file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. In the Cook Medical MDL (Multi-District Litigation) as with others, plaintiffs claim the following against Cook Medical:

Failure to Warn: Plaintiffs argue that Cook Medical did not adequately warn patients or healthcare providers about the risks associated with the use of their filters.

Design Defect: The filters are alleged to have defects in their design, which increases the risk of failure, including migration, fracture, or perforation.

Negligence: Plaintiffs accuse Cook Medical of negligence in the design, testing, and marketing of their filters, placing patients at unnecessary risk.

Breach of Warranty: Plaintiffs claim that Cook Medical breached both express and implied warranties by selling a product that did not perform as advertised or expected.

Many lawsuits also include claims for loss of consortium (adverse impact on spousal relationships), wrongful death, and punitive damages to hold the company accountable for their actions. An IVC lawyer would bring similar claims for other kinds of IVC filters.

What Should You Do if You Have an IVC Filter?

Speak with your healthcare provider. It is important to watch your health and report changes and symptoms, especially in your chest. If you experience pain, discomfort, or symptoms that may relate to the filter, seek medical attention immediately.

If an Inferior Vena Cava filter injured you, if you have had removal surgery of the filter, or you cannot have the filter removed because of complications, you should contact an experienced IVC filter attorney to help you understand your rights. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit. In cases like the Cook Medical IVC Filter MDL, thousands of plaintiffs are working together to hold manufacturers accountable for the risks these devices pose.

What Can KBA Do to Help?

The design of Inferior Vena Cava filters is to prevent life-threatening blood clots. For some patients, these filters cause severe, even fatal, complications. The lawsuits against Cook Medical, Inc. and Bard reflect the dangers these devices can pose and the responsibility manufacturers have to ensure their products are safe and reliable.

If you or a loved one has experienced complications from an Inferior Vena Cava filter, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your injuries. Our law firm deals with defective medical devices. We have experienced IVC filter attorneys that can help you with you case. Contact us to learn more about your options.