Plaintiff Michael L. is the latest patient to initiate an IVC filter lawsuit against C.R. Bard.

The plaintiff alleges in his lawsuit that the company knowingly produced and marketed a defective and dangerous IVC filter that caused significant problems for numerous patients.

Sadly, many other lawsuits involve similar allegations against makers of IVC filters. While patients who received this device thought the filter would help prevent potentially deadly complications, some have suffered consequences because of the device. Problems also allegedly emerge when those patients attempt to have the device removed from their body, especially if it fractured and migrated to other locations inside.

Michael says that he underwent replacement of his Bard G2 filter system in August 2018 in New York.

The lawsuit argues that the Bard G2 IVC filter has a high rate of migration, perforation, fracture and excessive tilting after it has been implanted in the human body. This can cause significant side effects, including internal bleeding and death.

The plaintiff alleges that, similar to others who have lodged Bard lawsuits over IVC filters, he has had to cope with pain and suffering, medical expenses, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and more, and will require ongoing medical care because of the injuries he sustained due to the IVC filter.

Although inferior vena cava filters have been connected to effective results for the prevention of pulmonary embolism, numerous potential complications have arisen and have been reported by patients and in academic studies. Migration is one of the most significant side effects of a defective IVC filter.

According to a study conducted by researcher Thuong G. Van Ha, IVC filters can migrate from their implanted position to the heart, the pulmonary outflow tract or another part of the IVC.

Removal may be impossible or difficult, depending on where the device has migrated to, especially if it has become implanted in the pulmonary outflow tract, heart valves or the right ventricle of the patient.

IVC filters are most frequently recommended for those patients at risk of pulmonary embolism, as pointed out by Medscape. This condition can be life-threatening if not addressed immediately by medical professionals.

Pulmonary embolism is a frequently fatal and severe condition, says Medscape, which happens when a lower extremity thrombus embolizes up to a patient’s lungs. When not treated appropriately, pulmonary embolism can have a fatality rate as high as 30 percent.

Unfortunately, however, as was allegedly the case for Michael, IVC filters may lead to significant consequences and painful side effects when they have broken down or migrated to other parts of the body.

The IVC Filter lawsuit is Case No. 6:19-cv-06049-MAT, filed in the U.S. District Court, Western District of New York.