Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are medical devices that are inserted into the largest vein in the abdomen, in order to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs and traveling to the lungs. They are designed to be a temporary precaution because the longer they are left, the bigger chance there is of them causing nasty complications.
However, these devices are not always safe to use in the first place. They have been the cause of a spectrum of complications, including migration, swelling, and internal injuries, and in the worst possible cases, they have led to death. A large number of pharmaceutical companies, such as C.R. Bard, produce these devices without properly testing that they are safe for use before putting them on the market. It is essential that these companies are held responsible for their failure to take proper precautions and testing as they have a duty of care to make sure they do not cause damage to its user.
When anyone receives medical treatment, it is important that they can be confident that medical professionals and equipment manufacturers have their best interests at heart. Any device should be properly tested and removed from the market as soon as any complications occur, which has not been the case with the Bard IVC filters and many others. That is why we are dedicated to bringing lawsuits against those responsible for medical negligence and preventing unnecessary suffering. For more information contact one of our Clearwater personal injury lawyers today.
Background
An IVC filter is a medical device that was designed by the pharmaceutical company, C. R. Bard, which provides essential treatment for those who have deep vein thrombosis. The device was designed to prevent pulmonary embolism, a condition that can be recurrent and life-threatening.
A serious complication of deep vein thrombosis happens when part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. The inferior vena cava is the largest vein in the body, carrying blood from your lower body to your heart and lungs, so it is extremely dangerous when the inferior vena cava is found to be a carrier of blood clots. Usually, clots can be treated with blood thinners, but this treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. In these cases, an IVC filter is placed in the inferior vena cava to prevent the clots from moving into the lungs and resulting in pulmonary embolism. It is a life-saving invention for many when the device is safe and works correctly; however, complications caused by these devices have led to serious internal injuries and even death.
Often when things start to go wrong with medical devices on the market, so long as a pharmaceutical company is still making money from it, they will do everything in their power to prevent it being discontinued. They have been known to hide evidence and continue to try and sell devices that they know can cause more harm than good.
Bard Medical is no different. Evidence has shown that problems with inferior vena cava were known for over ten years, and yet doctors and patients were not adequately informed of the risks.
In 2002, retrievable IVC filters were approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA), and regulators claimed that they were low risk, Class II medical devices. They were even fast-tracked and approved without much clinical or safety testing. As early as 2004, there are reports of serious complications from IVC filters, including internal injuries resulting in surgery and even death. Despite this, IVC filters are still used.
The Bard IVC, in particular, has come under exceptional scrutiny in recent years, but pharmaceutical companies such as Cook, Boston Scientific, and Johnson & Johnson also produce these devices. An IVC filter by any manufacture could cause similar problems if they have not been through proper testing. IVC filter lawsuits are not uncommon, so if you or a loved one have been affected, you may be deserving of compensation.
What Are the Most Serious Complications of IVC filters in Clearwater?
IVC filters can, unfortunately, cause a whole host of complications, on top of the condition that they are used to prevent. Patients in Clearwater are suffering complications, such as:
- Migration – Where the inferior vena cava device moves or dislodges. Often, the metal studs of the device break off, migrating to other locations and puncturing vital organs such as the lungs and heart.
- Fragmentation – Where a part of the device breaks off.
- Extrusion – Where the device is forced out of the correct position.
According to adverse event reports and the FDA, these complications are common and can lead to penetrated veins, pain, scarring, crippling leg pain, vessel occlusion, and a greater risk of blood clots. Some of these complications may show no symptoms for a long time and can go undiagnosed for years resulting in debilitating and unknown illnesses.
If you have suffered as a result of a Bard IVC device or a vena cava device made by another manufacturer in Clearwater or anywhere in Florida, then you should contact a personal injury lawyer today. IVC filter lawsuits are the only way that these companies will take responsibility for the suffering they have caused. At The Law Place, we are highly experienced in personal injury law and offer a free case review, so do not hesitate to get in touch for some no-obligation advice.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Who Is at Risk in Clearwater?
Any patient who has received an IVC filter that was not promptly or properly removed could be at risk of IVC filter complications. The longer patients have the IVC filter in their bodies, the more likely they are to have complications. Although it could prevent blood clots, the long-term risks may outweigh the benefits.
If you are concerned about IVC filter complications, then you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience What Is Included Within the FDA IVC Filter Warning?
In 2010, the FDA reported that over 900 people had complained about IVC filter related injuries such as lung and heart complications. In 2015, the FDA released a warning saying that if patients fail to have their IVC filter removed within four to six weeks, then the risks of the filter become high higher than any potential benefit. Medical professionals have been advised to remove the IVC filters promptly and to report adverse events to the FDA.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Do the Benefits of IVC Filters Outweigh the Risks?
According to the FDA, short term use of an IVC filter can be beneficial but also comes with risks. They may prevent a blood clot and a pulmonary embolism, which could lead to more serious complications. However, after just 4 to 6 weeks, they become prone to breakage, and often devices are not removed in this time frame, leaving countless patients at risk.
IVC Filter Lawsuit Information for Residents in Clearwater
Patients or family members of people who have suffered severe injury or death because of an IVC filter complication in Clearwater or Florida should seek compensation. IVC filter lawsuits have been filed in Tampa and across the nation. Multidistrict lawsuits against Bard are pending a decision from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. The more people who come forward, the more pressure is put on pharmaceutical companies to make sure that their products are safe.
IVC filter injury lawsuits allege that pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to warn consumers of the potential for erosion, fracture, or extrusion of IVC filters and resulting injuries. They argue that sufficient tests were never carried out and that the seriousness of allegations of complications that have been coming forward for years have been downplayed or ignored.
Filing an IVC filter lawsuit is the only way to secure compensation for medical bills, including past, present, and future, lost wages, lost earning potential, pain and suffering, and other loss that has resulted from IVC filter problems.
If you still aren’t sure, contact us to speak to a personal injury lawyer for a free case review before you commit to an IVC filter lawsuit.
Why You Should File an IVC Filter Lawsuit
If you or a loved one is suffering serious health problems as a result of a defective medical product or dangerous drug, then long-term, or even life-long, medical care may be required. This is incredibly expensive, not to mention inconvenient, and may drastically alter your quality of life. While no amount of money will ever make up for what you have suffered, it will make your life a little easier.
Furthermore, it is our hope that all defective devices, drugs, or other medication lawsuits can serve to make pharmaceutical companies take more care to protect their patients in the future. Profit is their top priority, and if we make defective and dangerous products unprofitable, they will take better care to stop producing them.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for IVC Filter Complications?
In Florida, the statute of limitations, Florida Statue 95.11, is four years for cases involving negligence, and this covers most medical lawsuits. This can be problematic when complications from these devices are not identified for a long time. However, this statute can be argued in extreme circumstances. You might be able to claim from when you were diagnosed with an IVC filter complication if you were unaware of it for more than four years. If you are unsure whether your case is still valid, then get in touch with The Law Place today.
Contact The Law Place Today!
At The Law Place, we can assist you in dealing with lawsuits involving IVC filters in Clearwater and the rest of Florida. We are dedicated to justice, and we want to make the world a safer place by holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their negligence.
If you have suffered complications resulting from an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter and need a lawyer to help you fight for the compensation you deserve, then do not hesitate to contact us on (941) 444-4444. We offer a free consultation for a reason so that you can agree to the representation only when you are entirely confident and happy with our support so that you can focus on your recovery.
