IVC Filter Lawsuit
IVC filters have been associated with hundreds of dangerous health risks, including organ damage, infection, and death. Studies show that these injuries occur because the defective devices migrate, shift, and fracture after implantation. More than 8,000 lawsuits have already been filed against C.R. Bard, Cook Medical, Boston Scientific, and other IVC filter manufacturers. Injured patients are demanding compensation for injuries and harm caused by these dangerous medical devices.
Do you believe that you’ve been injured because of a defective IVC filter? You may have the right to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. In fact, you may have a claim even if you haven’t noticed any signs of device failure.
At Rosen Injury Lawyers, we can help you fully understand your legal rights. Contact our IVC filter lawyers to complete your case assessment. We are here to help you hold medical device companies responsible for any harm they’ve caused. Your first consultation is free, so call for help today.
What is an IVC Filter?
The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a large vein that’s responsible for carrying oxygen-depleted blood from your lower extremities to your heart. When blood clots form in the legs, they can travel through the inferior vena cava and reach your heart or lungs. This can cause serious complications and even threaten your life.
In most cases, blood clots can be prevented by taking blood thinners or anticoagulants. However, some patients can’t tolerate these medications.
IVC filters were designed to be a safe alternative. An IVC filter is a small metal device that’s inserted into the vein to catch blood clots before they can reach the heart. Catching the blood clots before they can reach your vital organs helps to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolisms and other complications.
Permanent vs. Retrievable IVC Filters
Historically, two types of vena cava IVC filters have been approved for use by the FDA: permanent and retrievable. Each of these devices is associated with dangerous complications and health risks.
Permanent IVC Filters
All IVC filters were permanent when the device was first approved for use by the FDA. Permanent filters were intended to be implanted in a patient forever. Initially, there was no belief that a permanent filter could pose a risk to the patient.
Studies now show that while permanent IVC filters may reduce the overall risk of pulmonary embolism, they actually increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Research has also shown that permanent IVC filters did not significantly reduce the risk of death in trauma patients.
When permanent IVC filters came under fire, manufacturers presented patients and doctors with a new, retrievable option.
Retrievable IVC Filters
Retrievable IVC filters were designed to limit the health risks posed by permanent devices. Rather than staying in a patient permanently, retrievable devices are intended to be safely removed after the risk of developing a blood clot has passed. In fact, the FDA currently recommends that patients have retrievable IVC filters removed between 29 and 54 days after implantation. Removing the device is believed to significantly reduce the risk of the device breaking or shifting in the body.
While retrievable devices are designed to be removed from the body, this isn’t always the case. IVC filters are often left in patients for too long or not removed at all. Leaving a retrievable IVC filter in a patient is believed to be associated with an increased risk of complications, infection, and injury.
Research shows that the device itself can often cause extensive damage to the inferior vena cava and area of implantation. This creates scar tissue that makes surgical retrieval of the device impossible. The longer an IVC filter remains in the body, the greater the risk of damage and injury. In fact, retrievable IVC filter devices are associated with more than 900 adverse health events.
Why Are People Filing IVC Filter Lawsuits?
Thousands of IVC filter patients have reported severe injuries and health events. Many of these reports indicate that the filters shift, tilt, migrate, or fracture in the body after they’re implanted. When devices shift or fracture in the body, patients become vulnerable to many serious health issues, including organ perforation, infection, and death. Many patients require revision surgery to remove the filter and repair any harm it caused.
In light of these complaints, it became clear that IVC filters may do more harm than good. In 2013, the American Medical Association published an article questioning the effectiveness of IVC filter devices. The organization began to ask why the devices were used so frequently when there was no real evidence to show they were safe or effective.
As a result, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against IVC filter manufacturers. These lawsuits argue, among other things, that:
- IVC filters are defectively designed and manufactured
- IVC filters carry an unreasonable risk of fracture and migration in the body
- IVC filters create an unreasonable risk of organ and tissue perforation in the body
- IVC filter manufacturers failed to warn patients and doctors about potential risks, and
- IVC filter manufacturers intentionally hid research showing the filters were dangerous.
Many IVC filter patients have already received compensation for their injuries. In light of recent court losses – including a $1.2 million verdict against Cook Medical – manufacturers appear increasingly open to settling these claims. If you’ve been injured because of a defective or dangerous IVC filter, you may have the right to file a lawsuit to recover compensation of your own. Call our experienced attorneys to learn more about IVC filter lawsuits and settlements today.
Complications Associated With IVC Filters
Many adverse events and health issues are associated with IVC filter devices. Commonly reported complications include:
Filter Migration. IVC filters are inserted into the inferior vena cava through a small incision in the neck or groin. Several tiny metal legs extend from the body of the filter and secure the device in place. The device is not intended to move in any way once it is inserted. However, studies show that 35 percent of IVC filters migrate, or move away from the intended location, after implantation.
Filter Shifting and Tilting: IVC filters can also shift or tilt out of place after implantation. Rather than move away from the intended location, the device simply repositions itself with the vein. This can perforate the vein walls, create scar tissue, and make removal difficult or impossible.
Filter Fracture: Many IVC filter complications are caused by fractures of the device itself. Fractured devices can severely damage the vein walls, puncture nearby organs, and prevent successful removal of the implant.
Embolization of Filter Pieces: Embolization occurs when components of the IVC filter completely break away from the device. Specifically, the metal legs break away from the device and enter the blood. The fragments can travel through the body causing extensive damage, including organ perforation, damage, and pulmonary embolisms.
Difficult or Impossible Filter Removal: The longer an IVC filter stays in the body, the greater the risk of injury to the patient. Defects in IVC filters regularly cause devices to migrate, shift, and fracture in the body. This can create a situation where successful removal of the entire device is impossible.
Signs and Symptoms of IVC Filter Complications
Research now shows that IVC filters may not be effective. In fact, an IVC filter implant may do more harm than good. Many adverse health issues and complications are associated with IVC filters. Signs and symptoms of IVC filter complications include:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Swelling, pain, redness, or warmth at the incision site
- Bleeding at the incision site
- Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the extremities
- Headache, and
- Nausea.
Seek medical attention immediately if you begin to experience any unexpected health issues after getting an IVC filter implant. The device may have migrated, tilted, or fractured in your body. Early medical intervention can help to prevent and limit extensive damage and complications.
Long Term Risks Associated With IVC Filters
Studies show that inferior vena cava filters regularly shift, migrate, tilt, and fracture in the body. As a result, otherwise-healthy patients develop severe and potentially life-threatening health issues. Commonly reported long-term risks of IVC filter devices include:
- Internal bleeding
- Organ or tissue perforation
- Organ damage
- Allergic reaction
- Infection
- Perforation of arteries, veins, and vessels
- Reduced blood flow
- Interior vein scarring
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Bruising or bleeding at the implant site
- Occlusions to the inferior vena cava
- Difficult or impossible removal of the device
- Venous thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism, and
- Death.
Have you or someone you love experienced complications or injuries because of a defective IVC filter? You may have the right to obtain compensation from the device’s manufacturer. The legal team at Rosen Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you fight for the money you deserve. Call our law firm today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Which IVC Filter Devices Are Associated With Complications?
Thousands of IVC filter cases are pending in state and federal courts across the country. In order to keep things organized, many of these cases have been consolidated into MDLs. MDLs, or multidistrict litigations, allows similar cases to be tried in a single district court before a single judge. MDL bellwether trials make it easier to assess the strength and value of the claims.
These lawsuits have involved several manufacturers and hundreds of different IVC filter devices. These include:
- Argon Option IVC Filter
- B. Braun VenaTech IVC Filter
- Bard Denali IVC Filter
- Bard G2 IVC filter
- Bard G2 Express IVC filter
- Bard Recovery IVC filter
- Cook Gunther Tulip IVC Filter
- Cook Celect IVC filter
- Cook Celect Platinum IVC filter
- Cordis OptEase IVC Filter
- Cordis TrapEase IVC Filter
- Gunther Tulip IVC filter, and
- Boston Scientific Greenfield IVC filter.
Do you have an IVC filter implant? Are you experiencing complications or side effects? Contact our IVC filter injury lawyers to learn about your legal rights. You may have the right to file a lawsuit against a negligent manufacturer. Our attorneys can help you fight for the money you deserve. Call today to learn more.
IVC Filter Lawsuit Deadline – How Long Do I Have to File?
It’s important to act quickly if you believe that you have suffered an injury because of a defective IVC filter. State law will limit the amount of time you have to file a legal claim for damages. While state laws vary, you will generally have between one and two years from the date you discover your injury to initiate a lawsuit.
You could be prohibited from getting the money you deserve if you don’t file your claim before the applicable statute of limitations expires. You can protect your claim by contacting an experienced IVC filter injury lawyer as soon as you learn about your injury. Call Rosen Injury Lawyers today to learn more.
Compensation Available to IVC Filter Injury Victims
You trusted that the IVC filter used by your doctor would keep you safe. What you didn’t expect was that you would suffer a wide range of debilitating and painful injuries because the device was defective. Your injury is not your fault. You shouldn’t have to struggle with the consequences on your own. Filing a lawsuit against the IVC filter manufacturer can allow you to recover much-needed compensation. Money won’t reverse your injury or guarantee a full recovery, but it can make a difficult time in your life a bit easier.
At Rosen Injury Lawyers, we will aggressively pursue damages on your behalf, including money for:
- Hospitalization
- Follow-up surgical procedures
- Other medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Disability, both temporary and permanent
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
You may also have the right to recover punitive damages if an IVC filter manufacturer intentionally buried or hid negative research or information.
Call our experienced IVC filter lawyers to learn more about how we can help you get the money you deserve. With our help, you can maximize the financial settlement or award you receive.
Do I Have an IVC Filter Lawsuit?
Only an experienced attorney will be able to tell you if you have a legitimate case against an IVC filter manufacturer. You should seriously consider speaking with our legal team if:
- You received an IVC filter implant
- The filter migrated, shifted, or fractured in your body, and
- You subsequently suffered dangerous side effects or complications.
Many IVC filter patients will sustain injuries but display no obvious signs or symptoms. In fact, it can take weeks or months before patients realize that they’ve been injured because of a defective IVC filter.
You don’t have to wait to be seriously injured to begin your legal case. Contact our experienced legal team to learn more about your legal rights and options. We will carefully review your case and answer any questions you have. Your first consultation is free, so do not hesitate to call for help now.