Published by In response to close to 1,000 incidents of injuries linked to blood clot filters, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an alert to physicians to extract these devices prior to them disintegrating within the body of patients and causing harm. Potential problems from a broken blood clot filter can encompass the device moving from its original position, puncturing organs, bleeding internally, and fatality.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has had an IVC filter implanted, you should contact our law firm immediately. Our lawyers are evaluating every individual case regardless of whether you have been injured or not. So, if you have received an IVC filter implant, we would like to speak with you. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the IVC filter’s manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
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Vena Cava Filter FDA Warning
In August 2010, FDA issued a blood clot filter warning [1] to doctors urging them to remove the devices once the patient is no longer at risk for venous thromboembolism (condition that occurs when a blood clot breaks away and travels through the bloodstream). Failure to do so could result in the filter fracturing inside the body and causing serious damage.
At the time of the warning, FDA had received at least 921 adverse event reports associated with blood clot filters. Of these:
- 328 involved the device breaking away from the implant site and traveling to another part of the body
- 146 involved IVC filter components breaking loose
- 70 involved the inferior vena cava being punctured / perforated
- 56 reports of filter fracture
The warning stated:
“FDA is concerned that these retrievable IVC filters, intended for short-term placement, are not always removed once a patient’s risk for PE subsides. Known long term risks associated with IVC filters include but are not limited to lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT), filter fracture, filter migration, filter embolization and IVC perforation.”
Blood Clot Filter Complications
- Fracture of the IVC Filter
- Perforation, Puncture or Serious Damage to the Heart, Lungs or Blood Clot
- Internal Bleeding
- Cardiac or Pericardial Tamponade
- Ventricle Tachycardia
- Lower Limb DVT
- Hematoma or Nerve Injury at the Puncture Site
- Constant and Severe Pain in the Heart, Chest or Elsewhere in the Body
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Infection
- Death
JAMA Study
In November 2013, a study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine [2] that examined the safety of Bard’s Peripheral Vascular Recovery and G2 blood clot filters. Specifically, the researchers looked at the rate of complications in patients who were implanted with these devices.
A team led by Dr. William Nicholson at York Hospital in PA evaluated 189 patients who received a Bard Recovery or G2 IVC filter between April 2004 and January 2009. Of these:
- 35 patients died
- 10 already had their filter removed
- 1 person was pregnant
- 80 test subjects underwent fluoroscopy to assess the integrity of the blood clot filter. Of these, 52 patients had the Bard G2 filter
- 16% of filters fractured
- 25% of the original recovery filters fractured such that 1 or more of the device’s arms broke off
- 71% of the fragmented pieces traveled through the bloodstream to the heart
- 12% of patients with the redesigned G2 model experienced filter fracture
Blood Clot Filter Brands
Our lawyers are accepting potential lawsuits for injuries associated with the following types of blood clot filters:
Bard IVC Filter
Cook IVC Filter
Other Manufacturers
- ALN IVC Filter
- Argon Medical OptionELITE IVC Filter
- B. Braun IVC filters (Tempofilter IVC filter, Tempofilter II IVC filter, VenaTech LGM IVC filter and VenaTech LP IVC filter)
- Cordis OptEase IVC Filter
- Crux Vena Cava Filter
Cook IVC Filter Multidistrict Litigation
On October 15, 2014, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) [3] ruled that all federal lawsuits involving Cook IVC filters will be centralized in the Southern District of Indiana before District Judge Richard L. Young. All of the complaints involve similar allegations that manufacturing defects with Cook vena cava filters make the devices likely to fracture, migrate and puncture internal organs.
FAQs
How do I know if my blood clot filter is defective?
Signs of a defective blood clot filter may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, or symptoms of blood clots. If you suspect your filter is defective, seek medical attention immediately.
What evidence do I need to support a blood clot filter lawsuit?
Evidence may include medical records, imaging studies showing the placement and condition of the filter, documentation of any complications or injuries, and expert testimony linking the filter to your health issues.
What types of compensation can I receive from a blood clot filter lawsuit?
Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and possibly punitive damages if the manufacturer’s negligence is proven.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit related to blood clot filter complications?
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit varies by state but typically ranges from one to three years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury. Consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I Have a Blood Clot Filter Lawsuit?
The Medical Device Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Blood Clot Filter Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new complications cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has had an IVC filter implanted, you should contact our law firm immediately. Our lawyers are evaluating every individual case regardless of whether you have been injured or not. So, if you have received an IVC filter implant, we would like to speak with you. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: