Bard IVC Filter Lawsuit Information
New Jersey IVC Filter Lawyer Explains Bard Product Defect Cases
An IVC filter is a medical device that doctors surgically implant into the inferior vena cava (IVC), which is a large blood vessel that runs from the abdomen into the heart and returns blood from the lower half of the body. The device works like a cage or net and prevents blood clots from traveling to the heart and lungs. Interventional radiologists or vascular surgeons implant the filters in patients when anti-coagulant and blood-thinning drugs do not effectively reduce a patient’s risk of developing blood clots in the lower body.
However, these devices have been found to contain certain types of product defects that render them extremely dangerous for many patients. As a result, C.R. Bard has recently become the subject of many lawsuits, though the company issued no product recalls. If you have questions about the dangers of these defective medical devices or believe you may have a claim, contact an experienced IVC filter lawyer at Keefe Law Firm. We can investigate your case and determine whether you are eligible for compensation due to a product defect or other negligence related to your IVC filter implant.
What Happens When Bard IVC Filters Fail Due to a Product Defect?
Over the past several years, many people from across the country have filed product liability cases against Bard. Plaintiffs allege that the Bard filters contain various types of product defects because they can fracture, migrate, tilt or even perforate the inferior vena cava. These failures may seriously or even fatally injure patients. Recent medical studies have concluded that these devices are neither safe nor effective. According to these studies, “the filters have been shown to double the risk of pulmonary embolism, the very condition which they are intended to prevent.”
When a Bard IVC filter fails due to a product defect, it causes serious problems for patients, including but not limited to:
- Perforations, or tears in the vena cava and even the aorta.
- Migration of the metal device to the heart, an event that frequently results in open heart surgery.
- Embolization, or the spread of filter pieces throughout the body and embedment of the fragments in organs, usually the heart.
Despite these risks, Bard has not yet issued any product recalls for its IVC filters. As a result, more people may experience serious injuries or wrongful death from Bard medical devices.
What Types of Bard IVC Filters Can Cause Injury?
Bard manufactures and distributes several IVC filter products, including:
- Recovery Filter
- G2 Filter
- G2 Express Filter
- Eclipse Filter
- Meridian Filter
On February 9, 2015, Bard settled an IVC filter case brought by Plaintiff Kevin Phillips after six days of trial. Phillips contended that the Bard IVC filter implanted in him in August 2005 failed, migrating to his heart and forcing him to undergo open heart surgery. The settlement terms remain confidential.
In August of 2015, all Bard IVC filter lawsuits were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation procedure (MDL) in Arizona. This MDL contains dozens of defective product claims, and more victims file every day. These cases will continue to be heard and settled in the coming months and years.
Received a Bard Filter Implant? Contact a New Jersey IVC Filter Lawyer Today
Keefe Law Firm currently represents a number of plaintiffs injured by defective IVC filters. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to a defective IVC filter, please contact our law firm today. We accept cases nationwide from our offices in New Jersey, including Red Bank as well as New Brunswick, Newark, and Point Pleasant. You can discuss your claim with an IVC filter lawyer free of charge and learn about your options for compensation.