A New York woman recently filed a new lawsuit against Cook Medical, alleging that she has suffered significant complications as a result of implantation with a defective Cook Celect IVC filter device.

The plaintiff, Mary B., was implanted with a Cook Celect IVC filter on Jan. 15, 2014. The specific Cook Celect IVC filter used is known as the Cook Celect Platinum. Unfortunately, after she was implanted with the device, Mary alleges she began suffering from serious side effects, which she claims are a result of the device being defective.

She responded by filing a lawsuit against Cook for its alleged role in her injuries.

According to the lawsuit, Cook failed to give adequate warning about the risks associated with its defective IVC filter device. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including breach of express and implied warranties, failure to warn, design defect, and others.

Mary’s lawsuit adds to the growing pile of litigation surrounding Cook Celect IVC filter side effects. Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation in the Southern District of Indiana.

IVC Filter Basics

An inferior vena cava filter, also known as an IVC filter, is a medical device used to prevent blood clots from entering important parts of a patient’s body—primarily the lungs and heart. This is meant to prevent severe or even life-threatening conditions associated with blood clotting.

However, a growing number of reports in recent years have suggested that these devices can cause serious injuries and complications of their own.  According to lawsuits, IVC filter devices are not worth the risk they pose to patients, and allege that the devices themselves may be more harmful than the blood clots they are intended to treat.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received a slew of adverse event reports over the past decade that indicate such complications. Hundreds of patients have reportedly suffered from complications like punctured organs and filter migrations.

Filing an IVC Filter Lawsuit

This Cook Celect IVC filter lawsuit, and many others like it, claim that the device’s manufacturer should take responsibility for the harmful effects their devices have allegedly had on patients and families across the country. Injured patients have filed lawsuits against a number of companies that make these vena cava filter devices, citing a variety of serious complications including organ damage due to filter migration and breaks.

The FDA has responded to the claims against the safety of vena cava filters, including the Cook Celect IVC filter device. The agency recommends that the devices only be used on a temporary rather than permanent basis, and only if medications or other treatments are deemed ineffective.

If you or someone you love has undergone complications after being implanted with a Cook Celect IVC filter, you may have cause to file your own lawsuit.

The Cook Celect IVC Filter Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00989-TWP-DLP, in the U.S. District Court for the Indianapolis Division of the Southern District of Indiana.