IVC Filter Lawsuit

Did You Suffer Injury From an IVC Filter?

IVC filters can break apart and migrate to other areas of your body cause severe damage or death. The manufacturers of these defective medical devices have known for years that the devices pose great potential risk to patients. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), IVC filters have the potential for harm to patients with no real evidence of benefit. Some IVC filters have been shown to be fatally flawed including the Bard Recovery blood clot filter. IVC lawsuits hold manufacturers like Bard & Cook responsible for the injuries and damages caused by these defective medical devices.

Do I have a Claim Under a IVC Filter Lawsuit or a Blood Clot Filter Lawsuit?

Contact us to speak with an experienced IVC filter attorney to discuss you legal right to receive compensation for your IVC filter injuries. If you believe you may have a claim due to a defective IVC filter, call now for a free case evaluation. Time is limited — call now to protect your right to hold the manufacturer of the defective IVC filter accountable for your injuries.

What Allegations Are Made by IVC Filter Lawsuits?

The allegations contained in an IVC filter lawsuit is unique to the circumstances of the person’s injuries; however, most IVC filter lawsuits include allegations that the manufacture of the blood clot filter in question failed to provide warnings to physicians and patients of the risks associated with using the IVC filter. Risks that should have been made known to the physician and the patient may include, but are not limited to, the potential risk of migration of the filter, filter fragmentation, and risks of removing the IVC filter.

The lawsuits also allege that the manufacturers failed to warn physicians and patients of the potential side effects of using an IVC filter including damage to other organs, heart attacks, strokes, and death. The risk of the IVC filter breaking apart causing metal fragments to travel through the bloodstream are very high. The manufacturers knew of this risk and failed to provide the proper warnings. In addition, allegations that C. R. Bard intentionally withheld information and research regarding the danger of blood clot filters from the Food and Drug Administration in order to obtain FDA approval for its defective medical devices.

Have You Been Injured By One of These IVC Filters?

Any IVC filter may be subject to an IVC filter lawsuit; however, five products have been named in numerous lawsuits throughout the United States.

•  Cook Celect filter
• Cook Gunther Tulip filter
• Bard Recovery filter
• Bard G2 filter
• Bard G2 Express filter

If your IVC filter breaks apart causing metal fragments to move to the lungs or heart, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hypotension
• Neck pain
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Hemorrhaging
• Internal bleeding
• Heart rhythm problems

If you experience any of these symptoms or other unexplained symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. Defective IVC filters can result in hemorrhaging, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and death.

Free IVC Filter Lawsuit Consultation

IVC filters are known to migrate (move), fracture (break apart), tilt, and perforate (puncture). The filters also have increased risks associated with removal. These complications lead to serious, life-threatening medical conditions and death. Our IVC filter attorneys have extensive experience representing clients throughout the United States in lawsuits against IVC filter manufacturers.

Call our office today at 888-861-9348 for a free consultation and case evaluation. Our IVC filter lawyers do not charge you for this confidential consultation. If you decide to pursue an IVC filter lawsuit, you will not pay any fees or costs unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf.

What is an IVC Filter?

An IVC filter is a medical device that is inserted into the inferior vena cava to prevent blood clots from forming that can cause strokes or other life-threatening medical events. Unfortunately, IVC filters are proving to be as deadly as the blood clots and strokes they are designed to prevent.

An IVC filter resembles a small cone-shaped spider with metal “limbs” or an upside-down umbrella with numerous metal supports hanging down. These “limbs” or “supports” can fracture and detach from the device. The metal shards travel through the blood stream to the patient’s heart, lungs, or other vital organs leading to fatal injuries.

Are Manufacturers Aware of the Potential Danger Associated with IVC Filters?

There have been studies that show IVC filters pose significant problems and risks for patients. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates that roughly 40% of all IVC filters used in patients will fracture within five and half years after being inserted. Recently, NBC News reported that over 300 injuries and 27 deaths have been attributed to IVC blood clot filters.

Two independent studies have highlighted the potential risk of IVC filter splinters and fractures. Dr. Nicholson of York Hospital concluded from his study that 25% of the study subjects had IVC filter splinters that migrated to a major organ such as the lungs, heart, or the hepatic vein. A study by the New England Society for Vascular Surgery revealed a 31% fracture rate for IVC filters causing splinters to migrate to the patient’s right ventricle of the heart.

During 2010 and 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication advising medical providers to remove IVC filters as soon as possible once protection from a pulmonary embolism is no longer needed. The risk of heart attack, stroke, perforation of internal organs and/or blood vessels, and other life-threatening complications should be discussed with patients as part of the discussion on the risks and benefits of removing IVC filters.

Manufacturers such as Bard, Cook, and B. Braun have known for some time that IVC filters posed potential risks; however, Bard requested approval as a permanent implant when the device was designed to be a temporary, removable medical device. Allegedly, Bard’s own research revealed the dangers of splintering; however, it did not share this information with the FDA, medical providers, or patients. Manufacturers must be held accountable for the damages caused by these defective medical devices.

IVC Claims — Compensation is Available

If you or a loved one has suffered health problems due to an IVC filter, you may be entitled to significant compensation but you must act quickly. It is important that you file your IVC claim as soon as possible to protect your legal right to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to speak with an IVC filter lawsuit attorney for a free case evaluation.

Complications

Complications associated with IVC filters can occur during the placement of the filter, while the filter is inside the patient, or during the removal of the filter. Some of the most serious complications occur when removable IVC filters are not retrieved as soon as a patient is not at risk of a pulmonary embolism. IVC filters are not designed for long-term or permanent use as an internal medical device. The longer an IVC filter is inserted into the inferior vena cava, the higher the risk of serious complications becomes for the patient.

The use of IVC filters has been associated with several problems including the following safety risks and complications:

• IVC placement – During placement, the patient may suffer from accidental perforation of a blood vessel, hematoma, infections, and bleeding. Malposition is one of the most serious complications associated with IVC filter placement. If the IVC filter is not positioned correctly, the filter may fail to stop blood clots thereby increasing the patient’s risk of pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, an improperly placed IVC filter is more likely to migrate to another area of the body.
• IVC filter splintering and/or fracturing – Parts of the filter break off and travel through the blood stream to severely damage other organs such as the lungs and heart
• IVC filter migration – The IVC filter can move, tilt, change position, or become lodged in a position or place it is not designed to be causing the device to be ineffective and/or dangerous.
• IVC filter perforation – The IVC filter can damage the inferior vena cava because of erosion or perforation. The filter also carries a risk of protruding and damaging internal organs.
• IVC filter clogging – A potential risk associated with the filter is becoming blocked by blood clots thereby stopping the flow of blood from the lower body into the heart.
• Inability to remove the IVC filter – A doctor may be unable to remove the IVC filter or there could be substantial risk of injury during the removal of the IVC filter.

Potential Side Effects of IVC Filters

Patients considering an IVC filter should discuss the potential risk of using an IVC filter with their medical provider; however, patients should also be concerned with other potential side effects associated with IVC filters. Some of the side effects that have been associated with IVC filters include:

• Chest pain
• Lower-limb Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Irregular heartbeat
• Obstruction, erosion, or narrowing of the inferior vena cava causing slower blood flow
• Cardiac tamponade (compression of the heart due to excess fluid around the heart)
• Hemorrhagic pericardia effusion (excess fluid around the heart)
• Infection from not properly sterilizing the IVC filter prior to implantation
• Perforation of the heart, lungs, or vena cava
• Fracture and/or filter migration
• Filter embolization
• Health risks associated with removing the IVC filter

FDA Adverse Event Reports

As of 2010, the FDA received nearly a thousand adverse event reports associated with IVC filters. The FDA reported 328 incidents of IVC migration; 146 cases involving broken pieces of the filter moving through the blood stream; 70 cases where the filter perforated the inferior vena cava; and, 56 cases of filter fracture. Even though there is strong evidence of the potential risks of using IVC filters, manufacturers continue to market these medical devices as safe for use.

IVC Filter Lawsuit FAQs

We understand that you may have many questions regarding an IVC filter lawsuit. Below are answers to some of the most common IVC filter lawsuit questions. We encourage you to contact our office to discuss these questions in further detail or to ask any other questions you may have about an IVC filter claim.

Does it cost anything for you to review my case?

No, our IVC lawyers provide free legal consultations and free case evaluations. We will listen to you, answer your IVC filter questions, and provide you with free legal advice regarding an IVC filter claim.

How much will it cost to file an IVC lawsuit against the manufacturer?

We represent IVC claimants on a contingency basis. You are not required to pay any fees or costs up front and you will not owe any fees or costs until and unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf. Our fees and costs are deducted from the recovery amount based on a percentage that we agree upon when you hire our law firm.

Do I need to file an IVC lawsuit in a specific amount of time?

Yes, most states have time restrictions on when an IVC filter lawsuit must be filed. Most people who suffer damages from a defective IVC filter fall within those time limits. However, you should not wait to contact our office. The sooner you begin the claims process the sooner you can receive compensation for your injuries and damages.

Who can file an IVC filter lawsuit?

Anyone who has been injured by a defective IVC filter can file a claim or a lawsuit for damages. If your loved one has died because of an IVC filter, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.

Who is at risk for injuries from a defective IVC filter?

Anyone who has an IVC filter inserted is at risk of serious complications. Blood clot filters are known to move, break apart, and cause complications during the removal process. The longer you have an IVC filter implanted the greater your risk is for developing serious, life-threatening complications and medical conditions.

What are the most serious complications of an IVC filter?

The most serious risk is death due to medical complications caused by the IVC filter. Injury to the lungs and heart are common due to the fragmentation and migration of metal pieces from the IVC filter. Some patients require emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding caused by organ perforation caused by the IVC filter. Patients may also suffer heart failure, infections, excess fluid around the heart, irregular heartbeat, lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and reduced blood flow to the heart.

How do I file an IVC filter lawsuit?

The first step in filing an IVC filter lawsuit is to contact our office for a free case evaluation. Certain factors determine whether you are eligible to file an IVC filter lawsuit or participate in a class action IVC filter lawsuit. Some factors our attorneys will consider include the severity of your injuries; the side-effects you experienced; the IVC filter implant; and, when the IVC filter was implanted and/or removed. Our experienced IVC filter lawyers do everything within their power to obtain justice on your behalf for injuries sustained because of a defective IVC filter.

Do You Need More Information About IVC Filter Lawsuits?

Our IVC filter attorneys are accepting cases from all 50 states. If you or a loved one has suffered from a complication due to an IVC filter, we urge you to contact our office for a free case evaluation. You can contact us by telephone 24 hours a day.

Our experienced IVC filter lawyers will answer all of your questions about blood clot filter lawsuits and explain you can receive compensation for your injuries and damages from the IVC manufacturer. If a defective medical device has caused you harm, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. You have rights — let us protect those rights by filing an IVC lawsuit on your behalf.