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IVC Filters

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are designed to prevent blood clots from traveling to a patient’s lung (pulmonary emboli). They are most often implanted in patients who are not good candidates for blood thinners. Unfortunately, many of these filters fail, and frequently, a patient will have no idea their filter is not functioning as intended. This can happen in the form of a leg breaking off of the filter, the filter migrating out of its intended position, and/or the filter puncturing the vena cava by rotating into an improper position. These filter failures can cause severe injuries or death.

 

The Problem

While IVC filters were designed to prevent blood clots, many of them are not designed in a manner that is safe for patient use. This defective design can make the filters difficult or impossible for surgeons to remove. Additionally, the design of many of these filters did not adequately account for the constant flow of blood through a patient’s veins, making the filters prone to movement from their intended positions. When the filters move, they also cease to be as effective as they should be at preventing a pulmonary embolism. Finally, while many IVC filters are marketed as being retrievable or removable, many become permanently embedded and cannot be removed without a major surgery.

The Injuries

While IVC filters are intended to protect a patient from further harm, they have actually been found to cause horrible injuries. In some cases, these injuries have been fatal. IVC filters can malfunction, move or break, causing any of the following to occur in a patient:

  • Perforation of veins or organs

  • Filter migration

  • Filter malfunction due to breakage

  • Lack of efficacy (filter doesn’t work as intended)

  • Filter becomes permanently embedded and cannot be removed

  • Filter breakage

The Defendants

There are a number of filters on the market, made by a number of different manufacturers. Weintraub Law is currently accepting cases involving filters made by the following manufacturers:

  • C.R. Bard, Inc. and Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.

  • Cook, Inc.

  • Cordis, Corp.

Weintraub Law Can Help

The litigation status is currently active for cases against C.R. Cook Inc., Bard PV, and Cordis, and Weintraub Law is actively challenging these manufacturers on behalf of those affected. If you or a loved one have faced negative health consequences due to one of these products, please get in touch with one of the IVC filter lawyers on experienced team.

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