IVC filter manufacturers are facing a number of lawsuits that claim the metal, cage-like implant can fracture inside the body causing serious injuries and even death.

Inferior vena cava filters were designed to catch blood clots traveling through the body and secure them in the metal cage until they dissolve.

However, numerous IVC filter lawsuits allege the filters easily migrate and break into fragments which causes severe health complications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that since the filters’ release into the U.S. market, the agency has received more than 900 adverse event reports relating to IVC filters.

Out of those claims, 328 involved device migration, 146 stated detached device components, 70 reported IVC perforation, and 56 claimed filter fractures.

In a study published by the Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology, researchers found that when it comes to IVC vein perforation, some filter brands may pose a greater risk.

The study compared Cook Celect IVC filter to the Option filter manufactured by Rex Medical and found that the Celect IVC filter posed a 43 percent greater risk of vein perforation.

 IVC Filter Wrongful Death

An NBC News investigation discovered that C.R. Bard’s IVC Recovery filter has been named in at least 27 deaths and 300 injuries since its release on the market.

One of those fatalities resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit which was filed by the surviving spouse and daughter of a California woman.

According to the IVC filter lawsuit, Jannette C. was implanted with a Bard IVC filter in 2009 but due to design defects of the implant, the device was able to break-free and perforate Jannette’s bowel causing her death.

The surviving family members claim that Bard should have known that their IVC filter would be able to migrate from its implantation site which could cause serious injury or death.

 Retrieving IVC Filters

Another IVC lawsuit claims that a Bard filter penetrated the inferior vena cava, but when physicians went in to remove it they were unsuccessful. Plaintiff Dean B. was allegedly informed that there was a very slim chance of ever removing the metal implant. Dean’s IVC filter lawsuit claims that he is under constant anxiety knowing that the fragmented filter is someone in his body.

In addition to that lawsuit, an Illinois couple claim that an IVC filter implant migrating from the original site and embedding itself into the inferior vena cava wall.

Similar to the previous case, physicians went in to try and remove the IVC filter two times but both times they were unable to do so. Plaintiff Ernest W. now lives with the implant embedded inside his body.

 IVC Filter Multidistrict Litigation

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation agreed to centralize 27 IVC filter lawsuits against manufacturer Cook Medical in Indiana, which is headquarters to the company.

In general, plaintiffs filing IVC filter lawsuits seek financial compensation for past and future medical bills along with pain and suffering they have endured. Most cases allege negligence, design defect, breach of implied warranty and failure to warn.

If you suffered from IVC filter complications, contact an attorney to find out if you have legal claim.