What to know about blood clot filter lawsuits?

Unfortunately, the patients have suffered from huge number of complications that led to blood clot filter lawsuit.

The major health complications associated with the flawed functioning of an IVC filter includes:

• Migration of the filter away from its intended position
• Broken fragments of the filter traveling the body
• Formation of blood clots clogging the filter and obstructing circulation
• Perforation of the vena cava, heart, or lungs
• Requiring corrective surgery

Were There Any Warnings About IVC Filters?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two separate blood clot filter implant alert safety communications - one in 2010 and the other in 2014. Over 900 adverse event reports were submitted to the agency between 2005 and 2010 which complained about the following complications:

• The implanted device defectively migrated out of the vena cava
• Parts of the device detached causing embolization
• Perforation of nerve and organ walls by the struts
• Breaking of the filter

 The FDA has warned the doctors to remove the filters in patients where the risks of blood clots have subsided. The 2010 safety communication stated, “The FDA is concerned that these retrievable IVC filters, intended for short-term placement, are not always removed once a patient’s risk for PE subsides." Following this, the FDA started recommending its physicians to remove the implanted the IVC filters once they were no longer required. The 2014 warning was also about the removal of the devices when they are no longer required in the body.

Unfortunately, even after repeated warning, many patients still have it implanted when it is no longer required in the body.

Existing IVC Filters Lawsuits

Blood clot filter lawsuit has been filed against four medical device manufacturers for manufacturing defective IVC filters. They are:

• Cook Medical
• Bard
• Boston Scientific
• Cordis

C.R. Bard Lawsuits

NBC reported in September 2015 the manufacturer continued to sell and market the IVC filters even after being aware how it caused serious injuries. At least 27 deaths and more than 300 injuries have been linked with C.R. Bard devices. The company has thousands of lawsuits filed against them, of which almost 1,600 cases are awaiting legal action. There are also federal multidistrict lawsuits through the federal court district in Arizona.

Cook Medical Lawsuits

There are a huge number of cases filed against them for the similar defective IVC filter cases. Initially 27 lawsuits filed in 11 different districts of the US as of 2014 but the number grew to as many as 1900 cases at some time. Over 1600 cases are pending action and allege in the blood clot filter lawsuit that the company’s IVC filters failed to perform as intended.

Major allegations about the IVC filters

• Bard and Cook Medical manufactured defective devices
• The companies knew about the complications of the product
• They failed to warn both doctors and patients about the dangers
• Constantly misbranded the devices as safe and effective

If you know someone who has suffered from the complications, do not delay to get in touch with an IVC filter expert lawyer who can help you determine whether your case is eligible for financial compensation.