Bard PowerPort under fire for dangerous defects

Do you qualify for a port catheter recall lawsuit?

Thousands of lawsuits have already been filed against Bard over allegedly defective chemo ports. If you experienced serious complications after a port catheter implant, you may have legal options. Use the form on this page to find out if you can join the port catheter lawsuit.

Bard PowerPorts are widely used to deliver chemotherapy and other medications, but thousands of patients claim these devices are unsafe. Reports link these ports to serious complications, including infections, catheter fractures, blood clots and organ damage.

Now, patients are taking action. If you or a loved one experienced complications from a port catheter, you may qualify to file a claim and seek compensation. Fill out the form on this page for a free, confidential case review.

Complications from a chemo port can change your life in an instant. Legal help is available.

2025 updates: Chemo port catheter lawsuits

Thousands of port catheter lawsuits have been filed against Bard (Becton Dickinson) over allegedly defective chemo port devices. These lawsuits allege that the companies failed to properly design and test the devices, putting patients at risk of serious — and in some cases, life-threatening — injuries.

The Bard PowerPort MDL continues to grow

As of September 2025, more than 1,900 Bard PowerPort lawsuits have been consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). These cases involve a wide range of patients who report serious complications, including catheter fractures, migration, infections and blood clots.

2026 Bard PowerPort bellwether trials

In July 2025, the court scheduled six bellwether trials to begin in 2026. Each trial will focus on the injuries of an individual plaintiff and may set the tone for future settlements in the MDL:

• Robert Cook – March 2, 2026
• Wanda Miller – April 27, 2026
• May Lattanzio – July 7, 2026
• Kimberly Divelbliss – August 17, 2026
• Judy Hicks – October 13, 2026
• Lloyd Sorenson – December 1, 2026

The outcomes of these bellwether trials are expected to significantly influence the direction of the litigation and may push Bard toward settlement discussions.

Has the FDA recalled Bard PowerPort or chemo ports?

Since 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls for several chemo port devices due to serious safety and design concerns:

• 2020 – Bard PowerPort recall: The port tip was found to be too brittle, creating a risk of breakage inside the body.
• 2021 – AngioDynamics SmartPort recall: Pulled from the market due to sterility issues that could lead to dangerous infections.
• 2025 – Smiths Medical ProPort recall: Initiated after a manufacturing defect was discovered. This recall is still in effect.

While the Bard recall was resolved in 2022, concerns remain. The FDA continues to receive adverse event reports (AERs) tied to these port catheters, suggesting that certain chemo port devices may still pose risks for patients.

Complications and injuries linked to defective chemo port catheters 

Patients with Bard PowerPorts have reported severe complications that can lead to life-threatening injuries or even death. Many required emergency procedures to remove defective devices after experiencing one or more of the following issues:

• Sepsis and blood infections – Faulty chemo ports may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, leading to sepsis or septic shock, which can cause organ failure and be fatal if untreated.
• Port catheter migration – A port may shift from its original position, causing drugs to leak into surrounding tissue and resulting in tissue damage, pain or ineffective treatment.
• Device fracture – Broken catheter pieces can travel through the bloodstream and puncture organs or blood vessels.
• Blood clots and stroke – Clots forming in or around the port catheter can trigger pulmonary embolisms or strokes, cutting off blood flow to vital organs.
• Death – In the most severe cases, complications such as infections, strokes or embolisms have proven fatal.

Do you qualify for the port catheter lawsuit?

If you or a loved one suffered injuries after receiving a Bard PowerPort, you may qualify to join the growing port catheter lawsuits against the manufacturer. Filing a claim could help you pursue compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

To see if you are eligible, please use the form on this page to share your experience and learn more about joining the Bard PowerPort lawsuit.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.