An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter can help save your life, but it can also cause serious complications and even lead to death. These filters break, puncture veins, migrate, and cause other issues for patients, even when the surgeon follows all recommendations. If you or a loved one suffered a complication or died because of an IVC filter or similar device, an IVC filter lawsuit lawyer may be able to help you join an ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) action against a number of device manufacturers.
The attorneys at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, are helping victims of these defective medical devices get the compensation they deserve. We offer free case evaluations to IVC filter injury victims. We can evaluate your case and determine if you qualify to join the mass tort. If so, we can pursue compensation on your behalf, asking for a fair payout that covers the full value of the damages you suffered because of the filter failure. Call us today at 713-850-8600 for your free consultation. Our attorneys are standing by to take your call.
What Damages Can I Recover Through an IVC Filter Lawsuit?
The thin wire that makes up IVC filters tends to break easily. All too often, the legs separate from the rest of the filter and may:
- Embed themselves in other organs;
- Block blood vessels;
- Penetrate the walls of the vein;
- Migrate to another area of the body;
- Cause permanent damage to internal organs; or
- Travel to the heart or lungs and cause death, much like a blood clot.
When a serious complication occurs with a broken or dislodged IVC filter, it often leads to a health crisis for the patient. This can mean hospitalization, surgery, and even a stay in the intensive care unit. You may miss work and experience unnecessary pain. When we file a claim based on an IVC filter injury, we calculate the full value of the damages you suffered. We include values for both financial and emotional losses, including:
- Medical bills;
- Rehabilitation;
- Ongoing medical care costs;
- Lost wages;
- Permanently reduced earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Death, if you lost a loved one due to an IVC filter.
If you believe you have a viable claim for compensation based on your own IVC filter complications or the death of a loved one, call us today. We can analyze your health history and the details of your case and determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit against the device manufacturer.
Am I Eligible to File a Lawsuit?
The plaintiffs pursuing compensation through a lawsuit against IVC device manufacturers suffered from a wide range of complications because of these implanted devices. You are likely eligible to join them if:
- You suffered complications that required additional medical care;
- Your surgeon could not fully remove an IVC filter after implantation; or
- Your loved one died because of an IVC filter complication.
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), doctors and patients report many different issues stemming from the failure of these filter devices. The FDA received enough adverse event reports to issue a warning to at least one device manufacturer. Patients experienced effects such as:
- Device migration;
- Detached legs or other filter components;
- Filters perforating veins;
- Filters embedding in organs; and
- Fractured filters.
If your implanted filter had any of these issues and it led to serious complications for you, we may be able to collect compensation on your behalf through a civil lawsuit. If you are eligible to file suit, we will thoroughly investigate your case, collecting the evidence we need to show how your IVC filter caused your losses. We will then take your case to court, joining other lawsuits currently headed to trial.
What Is the Current Status of IVC Filter Lawsuits?
Many lawsuits are currently consolidated into MDLs against two companies that manufacture IVC filters: Bard and Cook Medical, Inc. The first bellwether trials will begin soon, but new plaintiffs are still joining these mass torts. This means we still have time to file your case and demand fair compensation for the damages your IVC filter failure caused.
While the outcome of the bellwether trials does not directly impact other cases against the manufacturer, they do serve as a way to understand how a judge and jury may react to the evidence in similar cases. If the plaintiffs win the bellwether trials, you can expect IVC filter manufacturers to begin offering settlements to others with pending litigation.
You may have a very limited time to pursue compensation from the device manufacturer. Reach out to us today, so we can help you take the first steps to getting the money you deserve.
About IVC Filters
IVC filters can prevent a blood clot from traveling to the heart or lungs and causing an embolism. For some people and in certain situations, they are lifesaving. For this reason, the FDA still supports their use. However, the FDA now recommends removing them as soon as possible.
In theory, this should make them less likely to fracture or cause other major issues. Removal is not always an option, though. Some are difficult or impossible to remove, even only after a few weeks. When this occurs, the patient requires ongoing treatment with blood thinners for the rest of their life, putting them at risk for additional complications.
How Can I Contact a Lawyer About My Case?
The personal injury lawyers from D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, understand what it takes to win against a medical device company and get the payout you deserve after suffering injuries. We have the resources necessary to provide both legal representation and compassionate support, and we will fight for the full value of your damages. Call us today at 713-850-8600 for a complimentary case review. Our attorneys will handle your IVC filter lawsuit at no cost to you unless we win compensation on your behalf.