An IVC filter lawsuit was truncated somewhat when the judge granted partial summary judgment to defendant C.R. Bard concerning allegations over failure to warn, manufacturing defects and negligent misrepresentation. However, plaintiff Denise O.’s claims over alleged design flaws and the need for punitive damages remain.

The Bard IVC filter has suffered from a controversial history, and the risk associated with an inferior vena cava filter is nothing new. U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell, in granting partial summary judgment to Bard, made that point in her remarks.

“The evidence is undisputed that perforation is a risk inherent in the design of all IVC filters, including (and, perhaps, especially for) the [Bard G2 IVC filter],” Judge Honeywell said.

In 2010, Denise was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. She underwent surgery following her diagnosis to implant a Bard IVC filter.

The device allegedly perforated her inferior vena cava and progressed into her aorta. The result, according to the IVC filter lawsuit, was a series of blood clots.

Denise filed an IVC filter lawsuit against Bard for failure to warn, defective manufacturing of the G2 IVC filter and negligent misrepresentation. However, Judge Honeywell on June 3 tossed those claims on the basis of lack of sufficient evidence that Bard provided inadequate instructions about the IVC filter.

What is an IVC Filter?

The Bard G2 IVC Filter System is a medical device created by C.R. Bard and approved by FDA in 2005. The Bard G2 IVC filter is designed to stop or catch blood clots traveling through the inferior vena cava to prevent a pulmonary embolism. They are implanted in patients at risk for a pulmonary embolism, who are unable to take a medication to reduce the risk of blood clots or if anticoagulants have failed.When the Bard IVC filter is left in place after the risk of a pulmonary embolism has passed, the legs or struts that extend out in a spider-like fashion may fracture or break. This could allow the pieces of the filter to travel through the bloodstream and get lodged in other parts of the body, usually the heart or lungs.Symptoms of problems from a Bard IVC filter fracture or migration may result in severe and persistent chest pain and shortness of breath. This often results in emergency medical treatment to determine whether the symptoms are a heart attack or IVC filter complications.

IVC Filter Lawsuits

Potential Bard IVC filter lawsuits are being reviewed as a result of the manufacturer’s alleged failure to take adequate steps to protect consumers or warn about the risk of migration or fracture. Although information has been available to C.R. Bard about the risk of IVC filter complications, the company allegedly allowed thousands of individuals to be implanted with the Bard IVC filter, potentially exposing them to a risk of serious injury.The Bard IVC Filter Lawsuit is Case No 8:13-cv-01962 in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida.