IVC filters are surgically-implanted devices that are placed in a patient’s vena cava. The vena cava is the body’s largest vein responsible for carrying blood from the lower extremities back up to the heart.

IVC filters are designed to prevent blood clots from traveling to the heart where they can cause damage, such as stroke or pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. These devices are often used in patients who cannot tolerate oral blood thinners to treat their blood clots.

Essentially, an IVC filter acts as a small trap to catch blood clots as they attempt to move past the device.

The device has small finger-like projections that catch the clot. Then, over time, the body’s natural clotting mechanisms dissolve the blood clots. However, it’s these same projections that can cause IVC filter perforation.

IVC filters are often implanted in patients who are at risk for deep vein thrombosis, or DVT (a condition where blood clots have the tendency to form deep in the legs or in the pelvis), pulmonary embolism (a condition where the blood clot travels to the lungs), strokes, patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery and individuals who have other blood clotting issues.

For some patients who cannot tolerate oral blood thinner medications, IVC filters can be life-saving. However, these devices do not come without risk. A number of complications have been related to placement of IVC filters including:

• Filter fracture – The filter may break apart and the various pieces of the device may travel to different locations throughout the body
• Filter dislodging – If the filter dislodges from its intended location, it can travel to other parts of the body and cause problems, and it may be an ineffective in preventing blood clots
• Filter tilting – If the filter tilts from its original position, it may not function as its intended and maybe less effective in trapping blood clots or it may fail to trap blood clots at all.
• IVC filter perforation – IVC filter perforation can affect the aorta, duodenum or other locations in the body. When IVC filter perforation of an organ occurs, it can lead to serious or even fatal consequences.

Lawsuits over IVC Filter Perforation and Other Complications

There have been so many product liability lawsuits against manufacturers of IVC filters that the lawsuits have been consolidated into a group of multidistrict litigations, each of which is conducted in a single court and overseen by a single judge.

This is done to conserve time, money and other resources and to streamline the process of litigation when there are a large number of lawsuits with similar allegations.

Plaintiffs in these IVC filter lawsuits state that the device was defectively designed, defectively manufactured and suffered from marketing defects, including the manufacturer’s failure to warn of potential complications.

These IVC filter lawsuits have gone on to seek damages related to incurred and planned medical expenses, physical and emotional pain, loss of spousal companionship, loss of enjoyment of life and more. Plaintiffs also seek punitive damages designed to punish the manufacturer for engaging in the alleged wrongdoing.

If you have suffered from IVC filter perforation or any other complications related to the implantation of an IVC filter, you may be eligible to seek legal compensation for your injuries. An experienced attorney familiar with allegations set forth an IVC filter lawsuits can review your case for free and can guide you as you contemplate taking further legal action.