Injury Lawyer Blog
In two separate federal litigations, the number of lawsuits filed against C.R. Bard and Cook Medical has reached nearly 4,000. According to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation May report, Cook Medical’s Gunther Tulip and Celect IVC filter blood clot filters are at the center of 1,918 current product liability claims. While C.R. Bard is the named defendant in 1,851 claims due to alleged complications and negative side effects involving their IVC filters, including Recovery, G2, Meridian and Denali.
IVC filters are used to intercept blood clots before they are able to reach an individual’s heart or lungs. The filter is implanted into the inferior vena cava, the body’s largest blood vessel. The filter is most commonly used to prevent a blood clot in the lung, known as pulmonary embolism.
The FDA issued an alert in 2014 to the public that explained the risk of injury outweighed the potential benefits of having the IVC filter implanted and that the devices should be removed as soon as the risk of pulmonary embolism is no longer at issue. The device is meant to be retrievable, but if it migrates into the vein it may become impossible or extremely painful and difficult to remove. Other complications related to the device include the device: breaking; moving or migrating of the filter or pieces of the filter into the lungs or heart; tilting within the inferior vena cava after being implanted; perforation of the inferior vena cava vein.
Individuals who have experienced complications with their IVC filter have also suffered various types of negative side effects as a result. Negative side effects may include, but are not limited to:
- Internal bleeding
- Fracture of the IVC filter
- Infections
- Serious impairment to lungs or heart
- Consistent uncomfortableness
- Sharp chest pains
- Deep venous thrombosis
- Nerve damage at the puncture site
- Pulmonary embolism
- Shortness of breath
- Other serious injuries or death
If you or a loved one has had a procedure involving an IVC filter and has experienced complications and/or negative side effects please contact Naumes Law Group for a free consultation at 844-826-8445 or online at www.naumeslaw.com.