C.R. Bard faces a new IVC filter complications lawsuit from a woman who allegedly suffered serious injuries due to the defective nature of their IVC filter device.

The IVC (inferior vena cava) filter allegedly failed in its purpose to improve the plaintiff’s health and caused additional problems for the plaintiff.

IVC Filter Complications Lawsuit Allegations

Plaintiff Kathleen M. is filing this IVC filter complications lawsuit after receiving Bard’s IVC Recovery Vena Cava filter. She had the device implanted on July 18, 2007, and suffered significant complications soon after, including damage to the aorta.

Diagnostic CT scans performed on June 02, 2014, confirmed the damage from the IVC filter, showing the filter limbs perforating the vena cava. Due to the dangerous position of the IVC filter, Kathleen’s vascular surgeon opted not to remove the device as it could be potentially fatal.

Kathleen is currently contending with pain caused by the device, and she filed her IVC filter complications lawsuit after learning of the severe side effects associated with the product.

According to the IVC filter complications lawsuit, Kathleen has suffered from perforated organs and venous structures and is at risk for thromboembolic events as well as cardiovascular injuries. She has also suffered from physical impairment and has experienced an overall diminished quality of life.

Bard’s IVC Recovery Vena Cava filter is a retrievable IVC filter and has been associated with a number of injuries commonly associated with other retrievable IVC filters.

Overview of IVC Filter Complications

IVC filters are small metal cage like devices that are implanted in the inferior vena cava which is the largest vein in the body and is vital for the body’s circulation. These devices work by stopping blood clots from traveling to the heart or lungs after forming in the legs or pelvis.

Several different manufacturing companies make their own lines of IVC filters featuring permanent and temporary models. C.R. Bard is one of these companies and advertises IVC Filters as a convenient and efficient method in preventing blood clot attacks.

However C.R. Bard and other IVC filter manufacturing companies have been garnering numerous complaints from patients after patients have allegedly experienced problems from the temporary models.

Even though temporary IVC filters are meant to be just as safe and effective as their permanent counterparts, patients have complained that these devices are not as well made and break apart or migrate away from the implant site soon after implementation.

In August 2010, the FDA issue a public warning regarding IVC filter complications stating that it had received over 921 injury reports from 2005 to August 2010.

In an updated warning in May 2014, the agency stated the majority of these problems stem from temporary IVC filter models and that they should be removed soon after the blood clots are resolved.

Even though these IVC filter complications are very serious, C.R. Bard and other manufacturers allegedly failed to warn patients against them. Kathleen used the IVC filter for its intended purpose and followed the advice of her physicians, yet still experienced problems.

Kathleen is filing this IVC filter complications lawsuit against C.R. Bard for failure to warn and other counts of negligence.

The IVC Filter Complications Lawsuit is Case No. 4:16-cv-01561, in the U.S. District Court of Southern Texas.