Patients receiving an implantable inferior vena cava filter, known as an IVC filter, commonly receive the medical device because it is preferable to oral anticoagulant therapy in their particular situation.

Some patients are unable to tolerate oral blood thinner medications, and other patients are better candidates for a physical device to be implanted in the body to reduce the possibility of having a blood clots traveling to the lungs and heart.

When used appropriately, an IVC filter may be life-saving for patients.

However, for other patients, the vein filter risks and complications they experienced may have caused more problem than the initial threat of the blood clot itself.

What is an IVC Filter?

An IVC filter is a small, cage-like device that is surgically placed into a vein known as the inferior vena cava.

This vein is the largest in the human body, and it carries blood from the lower half of the body back up to the heart. The filter literally “catches” and traps blood clots so they may not travel past the device.

Some patients are prone to developing blood clots in this vein due to genetics, major surgery or other conditions.

Due to this risk, physicians may use a filter to reduce the chance that these blood clots may travel to the upper body where they can cause heart attack and stroke.

Filters also reduce the chance that these blood clots may travel to the lungs where they can cause a pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal condition.

Vein Filter Risks

Some filter complications may be linked to the design of the device itself. Most of the current main filters are designed to be used temporarily, and may not pose a problem when used in that manner.

According to the FDA, temporary filters should be retrieved from the body once the threat of a blood clot has passed.

Possible complications include:

• Filter migration, where the device travels to other parts of the body
• Filter fracture, often rendering the device useless, and with risks of the filter pieces traveling elsewhere
• Perforation of the duodenum or aorta, or other organs if the device travels
• Tilting of the filter, rendering it ineffective or useless

Taking Legal Action over Vein Filter Complications

Because so many IVC filter lawsuits have been filed over patients experiencing vein filter risks they allege they were never warned about, many of these claims have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation.

This procedure puts several filter lawsuits under the supervision of a single judge in a single court so that the pretrial proceedings can take place in one area, saving time and resources.

These IVC filter lawsuits typically allege that the manufacturers of the vein filters failed to warn consumers and physicians about potentially fatal vein filter risks and were negligent in their actions.

Plaintiffs claim the filters were defectively designed and the manufacturers breached their warranties.

Plaintiffs seek damages to cover medical expenses, lost income, emotional and physical pain and suffering, loss of spousal companionship and more. They also seek punitive damages intended to deter the manufacturer from similar conduct in the future.

If you or a loved one has experienced personal injury as a result of IVC filter use, you may have a legal claim. An experienced IVC filter attorney can review your case any complimentary consultation and provide legal direction for eligible individuals.