Compensation For Defective IVC Filters
The IVC filter was supposed to protect you or your loved one from dangerous blood clots and pulmonary embolism. But it did not. It broke, leaving you to pick up the pieces.
You are not alone. Many IVC filters have been found to be defective, leading to side effects that may cause serious injury or death.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective IVC filter, you have a right to take action. The attorneys at The Mahoney Law Firm, P.C., will help you hold the responsible people and companies accountable for their negligence. Call us at 303-800-3168 in Colorado or Wyoming to schedule a free initial consultation.
What Are IVC Filters And Why Are They Dangerous?
IVC filters are small, spider-like devices that are implanted in the inferior vena cava, the largest artery in the body. The filter’s “legs” spread and rest against the wall of the artery. In doing so, they are supposed to catch blood clots and stop them before they reach the heart or lungs.
But, IVC filters do not always work as intended. They can become dislodged and puncture organs or blood vessels. Individual legs can also break off, causing grievous harm.
Hundreds of people have been injured by defective IVC filters, and dozens have died. Some of the most common defective filters include:
- Bard Recovery filter
- Bard G2 filter
- Bard G2 Express filter
- Cook Celect filter
- Cook Günther Tulip filter
FDA Warns Doctors About IVC Filter Risks
Given these serious dangers, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has warned doctors about using IVC filters. In many cases, IVC filters are intended to provide temporary protection against blood clots. However, the FDA noted that physicians were often not removing the filters once the risk of embolism had passed. The likelihood of a product defect or dangerous side effect increases the longer an IVC filter remains in the body.
Doctors are responsible for the continued care and oversight of patients with IVC filters. The FDA advises physicians to remove IVC filters once the patient is no longer at risk of developing blood clots.
It is important to recognize, however, that the surgical removal of IVC filters poses its own risks. The FDA advises that doctors weigh the risks and benefits of proceeding with IVC filter removal before surgery.
IVC Filter Complications And Side Effects
Defective IVC filters can cause serious side effects. Some of the most dangerous complications include the following:
- Punctured blood vessels
- Organ perforation
- Internal bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Device migration
- Device fracture
Some patients harmed by defective IVC filters have had to undergo open-heart surgery to correct the problems. Others have died from internal bleeding after a broken piece of the filter punctured a blood vessel or the heart itself. These are just a few of the life-threatening and life-ending situations IVC filter patients have encountered.
Call The Mahoney Law Firm, P.C., And Get The Help You Deserve
The lawyers at The Mahoney Law Firm, P.C., are uniquely positioned to help you with your IVC filter lawsuit. We have decades of experience litigating – and, more importantly, winning – defective medical device and medical malpractice cases. What’s more, Dennis Mahoney is a licensed physician in addition to being a licensed attorney. This gives our firm the kind of insight into the medical world that can only come by actually having performed surgery and treated patients.
Our firm handles every case with care and individualized attention. If you or a loved one has been injured by an IVC filter, contact us through our website or call us at 303-800-3168 to schedule a free confidential case evaluation.