Cook Medical is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from claimants alleging serious IVC (inferior vena cava) filter injuries. An Arizona couple recently had their Cook IVC filter lawsuit join MDL No. 2570, standing alongside other IVC filter claims alleging similar injuries.

Plaintiff Vernon G. and is wife Deborah G. are filing a Cook IVC filter lawsuit after Vernon started experiencing IVC filter complications soon after the device was implanted. Vernon and Deborah allege Cook Medical knew or should have known of potential IVC filter complications, and had the responsibility to warn the public.

Vernon alleges that before discovering the alleged defective nature of Cook IVC filters, he and his wife were unaware of tendencies of the devices breaking, tilting, and becoming impossible to remove. In addition, these devices can reportedly perforate and migrate within the vena cava, which is the largest vein in the human body.

Overview of IVC Filter Complications

IVC filters are small metal cage-like devices, which are directly implanted into the vena cava to prevent blood clot attacks. These devices are often prescribed to patients who cannot use anticoagulants, with IVC filters working by trapping blood clots formed in the legs or pelvis and prevent them from traveling to the heart or lungs.

With this treatment mechanism, the blood clots will eventually resolve themselves and will ultimately prevent a heart attack or stroke. Patients can choose from permanent or temporary models, in which the reversible models can be later removed after the blood clot risks subside.

However, patients have alleged temporary models are made with inferior components and are prone to breaking and migrating out of the vena cava. The FDA issued an official warning of IVC filter complications in August 2010, stating it had received over 921 injury reports between 2005 and August 2010 including:

• 328 reports of IVC Filter Migration
• 146 reports of IVC Filter Embolization or Detachment
• 70 reports of IVC Filter Perforation
• 56 reports of IVC Filter Fracture

The FDA issued a follow-up warning in May 2014, stating reversible IVC filters should be removed soon after the blood clot is resolved. Even with the severity of these complications, Cook Medical and other manufacturers allegedly failed to disclose these potential complications.

Many patients have ha to undergo revision surgery to have the devices removed, with many of them opting to file a Cook IVC filter lawsuit. According to the couple’s Cook IVC filter lawsuit, Vernon had suffered permanent injuries that he will have to contend with, including disability and impairment.

The couple has incurred massive financial damages from medical bills, and is expected to continue to do so due to the IVC filter complications. Vernon states that his life has been permanently altered from IVC filter complications, and that he would never have opted for the device if he had known the risks.

This Cook IVC Filter Lawsuit isCase No. 1:17-cv-01638-WTL-MJD, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division.