Cook Medical is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from numerous consumers, alleging serious injuries caused by their inferior vena cava (IVC) filter models.

One of the most recent additions to group comes from a group of claimants jointly filing their IVC filter lawsuit on behalf of a woman who allegedly died due to injuries sustained from the Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter.

Plaintiff group Ann C., John B., Gail W., Debra M., and Linda B., are taking legal action on behalf of the deceased Alma L. who had the Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter implanted for typical reasons. IVC filters are often prescribed to patients who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulant therapy, and the filters are meant to prevent blood clot attacks.

Alma’s Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter was implanted on July 29, 2009, with Alma having no reason to be worried about any potential complications. However, not long after the Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter was implanted, Alma reportedly experienced problems with the IVC filter and later died from the complications.

Ann and the other claimants have decided to file legal action on behalf of Alma after discovering the company many have known the Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter was defective. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for negligence and failure to warn.

Overview of IVC Filter Complications

IVC filters are small metal cage-like devices which are directly implanted in the body’s inferior vena cava. This is the largest vein in the human body and is a primary component of the body’s circulation system.

These devices prevent blood clot attacks by trapping the blood clots after forming in the pelvis or legs. By preventing the blood clots from traveling to the lungs or heart, dangerous cardiac episodes can be prevented.

Patients can choose between permanent or retrievable IVC filter models, with the retrievable models meant to be later removed after the blood clots are resolved.

However, patients have alleged the temporary IVC filters, like the Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter, are defectively made and break apart once inside the patient. According to the FDA, there were over 921 IVC filter injury reports submitted between 2005 and August 2010 with incidents including:

• 328 reports of IVC Filter migration
• 146 reports of IVC Filter embolization or device components detaching
• 70 reports of IVC Filter perforation
• 56 reports of IVC Filter fractures

The FDA released a later warning in May 2014, with the agency stating that temporary IVC filters should be removed soon after the blood clots are resolved.

Even though IVC filter complications can be potentially fatal, Cook Medical and other manufacturing companies failed to warn consumers against IVC filter complications.

This Cook Celect Vena Cava Filter Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-00574-RLY-TAB, and is part of the IVC Filter MDL, MDL No. 2570, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Southern Indiana, Indianapolis Division.