You or someone you know may have been implanted with an inferior vena cava filter (“commonly referred to as an “IVC” filter). IVC filters are tiny devices that are placed in a patient’s vein to capture dangerous blood clots that sometimes break loose from veins that are deeper in the patient’s body. These blood clots will otherwise reach the patient’s lungs and can cause a blockage of blood flow to the patients lungs. Nationwide reports seem to conclude that these devices are subject to disintegrate after being inserted and that this can cause catastrophic injury or even death. The main manufacturers of these IVC filters are C.R. Bard and Cook Medical.
In 2010, the FDA issued a warning letter to doctors, notifying them of the potential dangers associated with retrievable IVC filters and that such devices should be removed as soon as the patient is no longer at risk for a pulmonary embolism. In 2014, the FDA issued another warning stating that patients are at increased risk the longer the IVC filters remain implanted. In April of 2015, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that suggested that patients with IVC filters may be twice as likely to suffer from a serious, and sometimes fatal, pulmonary embolism than patients who were prescribed anticoagulants alone. Therefore, the study suggests that IVC filters should not be used in cases where patients can be treated with anticoagulation.
The attorneys of Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. are currently investigating the potential claims of individuals that sustained injuries or were killed as a result of problems or complications associated with an IVC filter. If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys regarding this litigation, please give us a call at (256) 539-3110.
