A Minnesota IVC filter lawsuit may be an option for patients who have been injured by an IVC filter. Patients suffering from blood clot disorders are often treated with medical devices known as inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved these devices in 2003, and potential complications have led to increased scrutiny of the devices. While IVC filters have proven successful in many instances, patients who have been affected by an IVC filter may be able to pursue compensation with the help of a Minnesota IVC filter lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Minnesota. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions and inform you of your options. If you choose to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated Minnesota IVC filter lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What Are IVC Filters?
Deep vein thrombosis is a very serious condition with sometimes deadly consequences. It is characterized by the formation of blood clots within deep leg veins that can travel to other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. In the event that a clot should make its way into the lungs, pulmonary embolism may occur. A pulmonary embolism is potentially life-threatening, particularly when larger clots are present. These clots can block the oxygen supply to the lungs, which will result in heart failure if timely medical attention is not received.
Placement of an IVC filter is one method commonly used to treat this condition. IVC filters are implanted into the patient’s inferior vena cava vein to trap clots making their way up from the lower extremities. This is made possible through the construction of the filter, which entails a cage-like design intended to stop clots without impacting the flow of blood. Doctors implant the filter using a catheter via a small incision in the neck or groin. While IVC filters are sometimes used in conjunction with anticoagulants, in many cases they are recommended to patients with contraindication to such therapies.
Faulty IVC Filter Warnings
IVC filters have been approved for use, but the FDA has issued a safety communication based on more than 900 adverse event reports claiming that the IVC filters have malfunctioned. People have experienced complications because the wires splintered or shifted so that they pierced the artery walls. Some reports claim the entire filters have migrated from the location where they were placed. The FDA recommends removal of the devices as soon as the threat of blood clots passes.
IVC Filter Risks
NBC News reports that one manufacturer purportedly knew that its IVC filters had design flaws that made them dangerous but kept them on the market for years after the discovery. During the time that the devices were available, thousands of patients had them implanted, and there have been injuries and fatalities linked to the device. In some cases, the alleged problems with the filters that made removal necessary also raised the risk of complications during the retrieval process. Some surgeons choose to send their patients to specialists for this procedure.
IVC Filter Lawsuits Filed
There are over 300 claims against IVC filter manufacturers, and at least one settlement has already been reached. In that case, a man sued C.R. Bard for damages after the company’s device broke loose within his vein, drifted upward, and then pierced his heart. The plaintiff claimed the company knew that the filter had a higher rate of failure than similar devices, but did not provide adequate warnings of the risks.
In addition to the litigation pending against Bard, over 250 lawsuits have been filed against Cook Medical. Rather than facing a trial for each plaintiff, Bard will be involved in one trial where all the common evidence is presented in front of a single district judge. The claims against Cook are also being combined through this process, which is known as multidistrict litigation.
Attorneys are alleging serious injuries and other complications in Minnesota IVC filter lawsuits being filed on behalf of affected patients.
How a Minnesota IVC Filter Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
Medical device makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their devices, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a device maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by defective IVC filters may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Minnesota. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
