Bards IVC Filter Attorneys

Bards IVC filters are supposed to protect patients from dangerous blood clots. But the devices are potentially deadly themselves.

IVC Filters are implanted into the inferior vena cava to limit where blood clots can travel in the body. The Bard IVC Filters were designed to prevent blood clots from forming, preventing stroke and other life-threatening events. Unfortunately, a number of studies show that shards can break from the filter and may be just as deadly as a stroke. This issue applies to the:

• Bards IVC filter
• Bard G2 filter
• Bard G2 Express filter

A study conducted by the New England Society for Vascular Surgery noted a 31% fracture rate in IVC filters. Most of the splinters found their way to patients’ right ventricles of the heart.

Another study conducted by Dr. Nicholson of York Hospital, showed that 25% of the group had splinters that broke off, most of which migrated to an end organ, such as the heart, lungs and the hepatic vein.

WHAT ARE THE THE RISKS OF A DEFECTIVE BARDS IVC FILTER?

The IVC filter is a wire device that looks something like a spider, set snugly against the walls of the inferior vena cava. Any one of the metal extremities on the device can fracture and be carried away by the blood stream, finding its way to the heart or lungs. The likelihood of splintering increases the longer the device remains in the body.

The use of an IVC filter may cause the following problems:

• IVC Filter migration
• IVC Filter fracture
• IVC Filter perforation
• Tilting of the IVC Filter
• The inability to retrieve the IVC Filter
• Pulmonary embolism
• Compromised respiration
• Stroke
• Death

DID IVC FILTER MANUFACTURERS KNOW ABOUT THE DANGER?

It is alleged that as early as 2003, Bard’s own research showed that the IVC filters posed an unreasonable danger to patients from splintering. The company did not tell the FDA about their findings, or warn patients or doctors, and continued to sell and market the deadly Recovery IVC filter until it could create a suitable replacement for the market. Bard only removed the Recovery IVC from the market when it had a new filter, the G2, ready in 2005. Since 2005, the FDA has received 921 device adverse event reports involving IVC filters.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE BEEN INJURED BY A BARDS IVC FILTER?

The Pisanchyn Law Firm is investigating these and other allegations about IVC filters. If you or someone you love suffered serious injury or died due to complications from an IVC filter, contact our office by using the form on the right or call (800) 444-5309 to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or loss. There is no obligation when contacting us but we encourage you to give us a call because every state has deadlines for bringing claims.