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Risks of IVC Filters

Our West Virginia IVC filter lawyers discuss the risks of IVC filters.

When a patient is at risk of developing a blood clot - and, in turn, a heart attack or stroke - doctors will suggest preventative measures to reduce the risk.

One method of purportedly preventing blood clots from occurring is the placement of an inferior vena cava filter, or IVC filter. While IVC filters can be effective, they may also be connected to serious, potentially life-threatening complications.

What Is an IVC Filter?

Inferior vena cava filters are retrievable devices that are placed in patients' veins in order to catch blood clots before the clots can reach the lungs. Over time, the clots should break down and dissolve.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/5"]VC filters are designed to be implanted in patients who are at risk of developing life-threatening blood clots but cannot take blood-thinning medications for certain medical reasons.[/su_column]
[su_column size="4/5"]IVC filters are designed to be implanted in patients who are at risk of developing life-threatening blood clots but cannot take blood-thinning medications for certain medical reasons.[/su_column]
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Typically, IVC filters are used to treat those who have recently undergone a surgery or given birth. They also are used on those who are unable to move, have recently suffered a physical trauma, suffer from pulmonary embolus or who have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to RadiologyInfo.org.

The Risks of IVC Filters

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/5"]IVC filter risks are serious. According to a 2014 Safety Communication alert published by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), some of the known risks of IVC filters include:[/su_column]
[su_column size="4/5"]IVC filter risks are serious. According to a 2014 Safety Communication alert published by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), some of the known risks of IVC filters include:[/su_column]
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  • Device migration
  • Fracturing of the filter
  • Embolization (when the filter, or fragments of the filter, move towards the heart and lungs)
  • Perforation
  • Difficulty retrieving the IVC filter
  • Lower deep vein thrombosis
  • IVC occlusion (the blockage or closing of a blood vessel).

If a device perforates a vein, for example, the patient may experience uncontrollable internal bleeding. IVC occlusion, or the blockage of the vein, can lead to a heart attack.

In 2010, a Medical Device Safety Communication from the FDA stated that, from 2005 to 2010, the FDA received 921 device adverse event reports involving IVC filters. The majority of the adverse event reports were filed due to device migration, perforation and fracture of the filter.

Who Could Be Liable for Harm Caused by an IVC Filter?

As this history of issues outlined by the FDA indicates, some patients who undergo a surgery to have an IVC filter placed within their veins may suffer from adverse events.

If the use of an IVC filter results in patient harm, who could potentially be held liable?

Generally speaking, the manufacturer of the IVC filter could be held liable in a product liability claim. Companies who have manufactured IVC filters include:
Bard, Cook Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Braun Medical, Rafael Medical, Rex Medical and ALN medical. The majority of IVC filter lawsuits that have already been filed in state and federal courts in the U.S. have named C.R. Bard and Cook Medical.

The lawsuits may allege that the manufacturer of an IVC filter should be liable based on theories that could include:

  • Design of a defective device
  • Manufacture of a defective device
  • Failure to warn consumers of risks
  • Knowingly marketing a defective device.

Many lawsuits against the manufacturers of IVC filters are currently pending.

In addition to the manufacturer of an IVC filter, a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare professional could potentially be held liable if it can be established that the party acted without exercising the degree of care owed for the given situation.

For example, if a surgeon knew of the risks of the IVC filter and did not warn a patient about these risks and installed the filter without a patient's informed consent, the surgeon could be held liable.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/5"]If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered complications due to a defective IVC filter, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights. An attorney can review the facts of your case and examine which parties could be potentially held liable.[/su_column]
[su_column size="4/5"]If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered complications due to a defective IVC filter, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights. An attorney can review the facts of your case and examine which parties could be potentially held liable.[/su_column]
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Why File an IVC Filter Lawsuit?

If you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective IVC filter, filing an IVC filter lawsuit may be incredibly helpful.

A product liability lawsuit can pursue compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished ability to earn compensation in the future and all other economic losses. A lawsuit can also seek just compensation for pain and suffering and harm to your relationships with your wife or husband.

The compensation that could possibly be recovered in an IVC filter lawsuit could ultimately help you to get your life as close as possible to being back to normal.

If your loved one has died due to a defective IVC filter, an attorney can help you to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.

The Benefits of Working with an IVC Filter Lawyer

Product liability claims such as IVC filter lawsuits are incredibly complex.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/5"]They require thorough investigation into the harm and cause of the harm, an understanding of legal terms and theories, consultation with experts, negotiation for a fair settlement agreement and filing of appropriate documents in the proper courts and within the time period in which a claim may be filed.[/su_column]
[su_column size="4/5"]They require thorough investigation into the harm and cause of the harm, an understanding of legal terms and theories, consultation with experts, negotiation for a fair settlement agreement and filing of appropriate documents in the proper courts and within the time period in which a claim may be filed.[/su_column]
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An attorney with experience in handling complex product liability claims - also called "mass tort" cases - can handle all of these matters for you.

Contact a West Virginia IVC Filter Lawyer Today

It is important to learn more about your legal rights and options if you suspect that you or a loved one was harmed by a defective IVC filter. Contact the attorneys of Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, without delay. You can reach us by phone or online.

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[su_column size="1/4"]at[/su_column]
[su_column size="3/4"]At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we offer more than 35 years of combined legal experience to our clients. We are committed to improving the lives of people in Charleston and throughout West Virginia. We have the skill and the resources to handle complex product liability claims.[/su_column]
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We can provide a free and confidential consultation about your case and get to work right away on seeking the compensation you deserve.

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423