IVC Filter Lawsuits Filed Over Serious Injuries, Complications
Last Updated on March 4, 2022
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- March 4, 2022 - Investigation Closed
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer reviewing claims on behalf of individuals who were implanted with an IVC filter made by Cook Medical or C.R. Bard.
At the time of this update, multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Cook was still pending. In May 2019, the judge overseeing the Bard MDL closed it off to new cases; however, this did not necessarily mean that new cases couldn’t be filed elsewhere as of that date.
If you have questions about your rights, you should contact an attorney in your area as soon as possible. Keep in mind that every case is subject to a statute of limitations, which places a time limit on how long you have to file a claim.
The information below was posted when the investigation began and remains for reference only. Our open list of investigations can be found here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who experienced complications after being implanted with a retrievable IVC filter made by Cook Medical or C.R. Bard.
- What's Going On?
- Patients and their loved ones are filing lawsuits saying the IVC filters caused serious injuries (and, in some cases, death) after the filters broke apart, fractured or migrated to other parts of the body.
- Is There Any Proof?
- One study published in the Annals of Surgery found that IVC filters implanted in trauma patients were actually associated with a higher risk for blood clots and did not increase survival rates.
- What Injuries Have Been Connected to the Filters?
- Hemorrhaging, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, organ/tissue/bowel punctures, and death, among others
- How Could a Lawsuit Help Me?
- You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral expenses (in the event of death) and other damages.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed over injuries connected to retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters made by C.R. Bard and Cook Medical.
The suits say the devices are “defective and unreasonably dangerous” and seek compensation for patients who suffered complications from the filters. Lawsuits have also been lodged by families of those who died in connection with the devices.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or complications after being implanted with an IVC filter, you may be owed money from the device manufacturer for medical bills and other damages. The attorneys working with ClassAction.org are now speaking to IVC patients and their loved ones about their rights – and they want to hear from you.
There’s no cost to contact us or the lawyers we work with – and you’re never obligated to take legal action after learning more about your options. Plus, the only people who will ever see your information are our staff and the lawyers we work with.
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Problems and Complications
The lawsuits claim that the devices were defectively designed and manufactured and were not safe for their intended purposes. It is believed that the source of the complications are the filters’ tendency to dislodge, break, tilt, migrate (move to other areas of the body), puncture the vena caval wall or otherwise fail.
These problems, according to the suit, can lead to a number of complications, including:
- Cardiac tamponade (pressure caused by fluid build-up in the sac surrounding the heart)
- Bowel obstruction
- Severe pain in the abdomen or chest
- Puncturing of the aorta, duodenum, small bowel, ureter or spine
- Hemorrhaging
- Stroke
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart attack
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Death
The suits allege that both Bard and Cook Medical knew that its IVC filters weren’t fit for use, but failed to recall them or warn patients about the serious risks associated with the devices.
Is This a Class Action Lawsuit?
This is not a class action lawsuit. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an IVC filter, you will need to file your own, individual lawsuit with an attorney of your choice. You are not automatically covered by the pending litigation. That being said, the lawsuits against Cook Medical and C.R. Bard have been consolidated into two separate multidistrict litigations (MDLs) to help the lawsuits resolve quickly.
You can learn more about MDLs here and find out why most medical device cases are not suited for class action lawsuits.
What IVC Filters Have Been Linked to Side Effects?
The lawsuits specifically refer to retrievable IVC filters made by C.R. Bard and Cook Medical. These include the following:
| Bard: | Cook: |
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How Much Could I Get from a Lawsuit?
A number of factors, including your age and the extent of your injuries, will determine how much you could get from a successful lawsuit.
In general, however, medical device lawsuits typically seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, trauma, anxiety, etc.
- Lost wages
- Loss of your ability to work
- Disfigurement, disability and scarring
- Caregiving costs
- Loss of familial/martial relationships
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Funeral expenses, in the event of death
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