Many blood clot filter lawsuits against Bard have been moving forward recently as part of a massive MDL against the medical device manufacturer.

Blood clot filter is another way to describe an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter.

They are small, cone-shaped devices that are implanted in the inferior vena cava below the kidneys.

Blood clots that detach from one of the deep veins in the legs on its way to the heart and lungs are called embolisms. Blood clot filters are designed to catch embolisms.

If a blood clot enters the lungs, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart attack or pulmonary embolism may occur in the patient.

The IVC filter traps potential life-threatening blood clots and holds them there until they dissolve. Some IVC filters are designed to be permanent while others are meant to be temporary and should be removed once the risk for clots has passed.

However, many life-threatening problems are associated with IVC filters and many patients have filed blood clot filter lawsuits. When temporary IVC filters are not removed, there is a greater risk of complications occurring.

The FDA lists common IVC filter complications:

• IVC thrombosis
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Access site thrombosis
• Filter migration
• Caval penetration
• IVC filter fracture

Blood Clot Filter Lawsuits Against Bard

C.R. Bard, the manufacturer of many IVC filters including the Bard G2, Bard Recovery, Bard Denali, Bard Eclipse and Bard Meridian, has been under fire lately.

There are currently more than 800 blood clot filter lawsuits against Bard’s devices pending in the federal court system.

In particular, patients have complained that the Bard devices migrate or perforate the inferior vena cava itself.

Bard’s filters contain a series of legs or struts that extend to catch the blood clots that may break free in the body, preventing them from traveling to the lungs or heart.

Bard patients have reported the struts perforating the vena cava and have migrated to other parts of the body.

They have also reported the struts fracturing which allows small pieces to travel to the heart and lungs.

Last year, the Bard blood clot filter lawsuits were centralized under U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell in the District of Arizona as part of a federal multidistrict litigation or MDL.

Discovery and depositions are currently being held and the fact discovery is expected to be finished by October 28.

Additionally, 10 of the cases are mature enough to warrant early remand for trial. But the attorneys suggest that even these cases may wait as they expect expert testimony to emerge.

Bellwether trials for 48 claims have been selected as part of the coordinated pretrial proceedings. A bellwether trial is a case selected to be tried as the outcome might affect other similar cases.

The group of bellwethers for this MDL will be narrowed down to 10 cases chosen by each side by early December. A total of 20 blood clot filter lawsuits will part of that first bellwether group.

Of those 20, just 6 will be selected again by March 2017 and trial dates will be set.

Many patients continue to come forward with blood clot filter lawsuits against Bard.

If you or someone you know experienced serious inferior vena cava filter complications, you may have a legal claim. Submit your information now to find out if you qualify to join a FREE class action lawsuit investigation.