Douglasville IVC Filter Lawyer

Inferior vena cava filters, or IVC filters, are a medical device designed to protect patients from potentially life-threatening blood clots. Unfortunately, these “life-saving” devices may cause more harm than good. If your doctor has recommended installing an IVC filter, or you have one already, it is important that you understand the risks.

At The Embry Law Firm, we help clients who have been injured by dangerous or defective medical products, including IVC filters. If you are concerned about an IVC filter you have had installed, or have been injured as a result of an IVC filter, contact our office to speak with our Douglasville IVC filter lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation.

What is an IVC Filter?

An IVC filter is a small device that can be placed inside the major blood vessel that travels from the legs to the heart. IVC filters have multiple small prongs that are designed to catch blood clots and prevent them from traveling to other parts of the body. Once the clot is caught, it should dissipate over time, reducing the risk of complications related to blood clots. IVC filters are designed to catch blood clots, but are not considered a treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The device is designed for patients diagnosed with a DVT or a pulmonary embolism (PE).

The filter is made from nitinol or stainless steel, which are considered safe for medical devices. The IVC filter is inserted using a small incision in the neck or groin. Through this incision, the surgeon places a small, flexible catheter. The IVC filter is inserted in the catheter and is put in place. The catheter is then removed. Once it is in place, the filter expands and the pronged legs attach to the wall of the inferior vena cava.

What are the Dangers of IVC Filters?

Since 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received hundreds of complaints about adverse events or injuries related to IVC filters. Some of these adverse events include:

• The filter migrating to other parts of the body
• The filter prongs perforating a vein, artery, or organ
• The filter fracturing, resulting in internal bleeding
• Heart complications
• Lung complications
• Stroke
• Death

In 2010, the FDA released a warning about IVC filters, cautioning a serious risk of the filter breaking apart. The broken pieces could then migrate to other parts of the body causing perforations or other injuries.

In 2014, the FDA made a further recommendation that IVC filters – once thought to be permanent – be removed within 1-2 months of the risk of pulmonary embolism (blood clot) resolving. The FDA warned that the filters should not be in place indefinitely, and that many healthcare providers had not been properly warned about the dangers of permanence.

Since these warnings have been issued, research has further confirmed that IVC filters carry a high risk of breaking down, migrating, and causing serious injuries. There is also a concern that leaving the device in for longer than necessary could make it more difficult to retrieve.

What You Should Know about IVC Filter Lawsuits

Any time there are hundreds of people injured by a medical device, the FDA and other agencies take action to warn consumers and caution healthcare providers. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that safety concerns are addressed and resolved prior to distributing their products. They are also required to conduct routine inspections, and ensure that they are in compliance with the FDA and other agencies.

By the time IVC filter warnings were issued by the FDA, hundreds of people had already been injured. This has resulted in numerous lawsuits being filed, including:

• Thousands of separate lawsuits against manufacturers – C.R. Bard, Cook, Cordis, and Argon.
• Multi-district litigations (MDLs) consolidating a number of individual lawsuits. These cases are being consolidated in Arizona and Indiana.
• Separate class-action lawsuits against C.R. Bard in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Currently, there are over 6,000 IVC filter lawsuits pending in U.S. federal courts. The overwhelming response from victims continues to illustrate just how dangerous these medical devices really are.

Why You Need a Douglasville IVC Filter Lawyer

As you can see, there are numerous lawsuits filed in various courts across the U.S. If you have been injured by an IVC filter device, you may be unsure of how to participate in an ongoing lawsuit, or file one of your own. That is where The Embry Law Firm can help.

At The Embry Law Firm, we can conduct a thorough review of your case and determine the best options for you and your family. While the issue at hand may be consistent, no two victims or their situations are identical. That means that you need individualized legal guidance that works for your best interests.

To learn more about how we can help, or to schedule a free consultation, call our office at 844-443-6279, fill out our contact form, or chat live with a representative.