Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from blood clots, including pulmonary embolisms. To combat this problem, medical manufacturers developed IVC filters, a blood clot filter, implanted to trap clots in the inferior vena cava― the largest vein in the human body. These blood clots are prevented from entering the heart, lungs, kidneys or brain by breaking them down over time.
Unfortunately, IVC filters have been ineffective at catching blood clots. In many cases, they break inside patients and metal parts move through the body; damaging the heart, lungs, and causing internal bleeding. As of May 2018, more than 7,800 lawsuits were pending in federal court against the manufacturers of IVC Filters by injured individuals.
Lawsuits against IVC filter manufacturers accuse the companies of:
- Design and manufacturing defects
- Failure to warn consumers of known risks
- Breach of implied warranty on the medical device
- Negligence on the part of the manufacturing and/or marketing company
What are the risks and complications?
Unless there is a very good reason to keep the IVC filter in place, the FDA now recommends the removal of retrievable IVC filters to prevent any of the reported long-term risks. These risks include device migration, filter fracture, embolization (movement of the entire filter or fracture fragments to the heart or lungs), perforation of the IVC, and difficulty or even impossibility in removing the device. Some of these events led to adverse clinical outcomes such as:
- Death
- Cardiac tamponade (fluid build up)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Emergency removal of the device
- Hemorrhage
- Perforation of tissue, vessels, and organs
- Respiratory distress
- Severe Pain
- Shortness of breath
Do you have a claim?
You may be eligible for an IVC filter lawsuit if:
- You were implanted with an IVC filter.
- The filter broke, migrated, or otherwise did not perform as intended
- The filter malfunction caused you injury and injury-related losses.
What might you be compensated for?
IVC filter manufacturers failed to warn patients and physicians of the increased risks of the IVC filter. Their failure to do so gives you the legal right to make them compensate for any of the following past and future consequences:
- Medical expenses from IVC filter injuries.
- Pain and suffering (physical and mental) caused by the injuries, and the treatment and recovery process.
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Wage loss
- Personal Expenses
- Family Support
- Funeral expenses for a loved one
IVC Filter Lawsuit Settlements
On March 30, 2018, a Phoenix jury found Bard responsible for the injuries suffered by a woman from an IVC filter fracture in her body. The company was ordered to pay $3.6 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
How do you file an IVC filter lawsuit?
The first step to filing an IVC filter lawsuit is consulting an IVC filter lawyer at The Sanders Firm. If you or your loved one experienced complications from an IVC filter, you may be entitled to file a claim. Do not delay or hesitate as your time is limited. Get a free case review with our IVC filter lawyers to discover your legal options. Our experienced attorneys offer aggressive representation to clients harmed by various medical devices. It costs nothing to find out your legal options. We will do everything to simplify the legal process in filing your claims and making sure you get the compensation you deserve.
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