A Tennessee woman has filed a new lawsuit against C.R. Bard over significant IVC filter risks. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff was exposed to serious IVC filter risks without adequate warning.

The plaintiff, Christina A., says she was implanted with a C.R. Bard IVC filter in June 2004. However, since the implantation of the device, Christina has learned of serious IVC filter risks—which she was not warned about prior to implantation. Had she known, she could have chosen a safer alternative.

Christina filed her IVC filter risks lawsuit on multiple counts, including manufacturing defect, failure to warn, negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment, and several others. The lawsuit was filed on January 31 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Like Christina, those eligible for pursuing litigation over IVC filter risks have not necessarily suffered from device complications. Simply having been exposed to these IVC filter risks without adequate warning can be enough to qualify.

IVC Filter Risks

An inferior vena cava filter, or IVC filter, is a medical device used to treat blood clotting. An IVC filter is implanted in a patient’s largest vein to prevent blood clots from moving into vulnerable places like a patient’s lungs and heart, which could cause serious damage, including risk of death.

Unfortunately, IVC filter risks may be greater than their benefits for some patients. Indeed, adverse event reports filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past decade show that hundreds of patients have suffered from IVC filter side effects. IVC filter risks include punctured organs and filter migration, which can lead to serious or permanent problems.

Lawsuits likes this Bard IVC filter risks lawsuit are being filed across the U.S., claiming that the device can be too dangerous for patients­­­. According to these lawsuits, IVC filter devices are not worth the risk they pose to patients, but the patients had not been adequately warned about these serious side effects.

Filing a Bard IVC Filter Risks Lawsuit

Lawsuits filed over IVC filter risks allege that Bard was aware that its IVC filter device can lead to serious complications, but continued to market and sell it anyway without regard for patient safety.

The FDA has responded to these claims against the safety of IVC filter devices, recommending that the devices only be used on a temporary basis, and even then, only if medications or other treatments are deemed ineffective.

Injured patients have filed lawsuits against a number of IVC filter makers, including Bard. These lawsuits cite organ damage due to filter migration and breaks, as well as other serious complications.

If you or someone you love has been implanted with an IVC filter, you may have cause to file a Bard IVC filter lawsuit over exposure to these IVC filter risks. This investigation is currently looking for anyone who was implanted with an IVC filter—even if they have not suffered from complications.

The IVC Filter Risks Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-00339-DGC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.