IVC FILTER LAWSUIT WHITEPAPER
About IVC Filter Lawsuit
The IVC filter or Inferior Vena Cava device is a small metal cage-like device surgically placed in the inferior vena cava vein, the largest vein in the body. The device is used to prevent blood clots in the body causing other injuries. Reasons why someone receives an IVC filter can be:
- Someone diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis
- Someone diagnosed with pulmonary embolism
- They are physically unable to move
- They are suffering from physical trauma
The device has been surgically implanted in people for these reasons for over 15 years, and there have been numerous reports of developing issues with the device.
The FDA issued a statement saying that they recommend IVC filters should be removed between 29-54 days after implantation. They found that overuse of the device can cause a greater risk of further damage to the person. But it is being found that the percentage of over users is high.
Notable IVC Filter Recalls
| YEAR OF RECALL | IVC FILTER TYPE | UNITS RECALLED | REASON FOR RECALL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Gunther Tulip | 91,731 | The manufacturer needed to update instructions for us |
| 2015 | Bard Denali | 1,183 | Labeling change required |
| 2013 | Cordis OPTEASE | 33,000 | Printing error could lead to the device being implanted upside down, requiring a separate procedure to remove |
| 2005 | Greenfield | 18,000 | Risk of cardiac or pulmonary embolism due to components detaching |
IVC Filter Associated Injuries
The most common reported injuries from those suffering from IVC filter complications include:
- Device migration
- Detached components left in the body
- Fractured filter
- Perforated vein or organ
- Complications associated with removing the filter
- Death
IVC Filter Status of litigation
Cook Medical, Southern District of Indiana assigned to Judge Richard L. Young and Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker, MDL No. 2570.
C.R. Bard, District of Arizona, MDL No. 2641
IVC Filter Verdicts and Settlements
Plaintiff verdicts: 2021: $3.3M (Bard), $386K (Bard); 2019: $3M (Cook); 2018: $1.2M (Cook), $3.6M (Bard).
Defense verdicts: 2017 (Cook), 2018 (2 Bard).
Settlements: 2019 (Bard- undisclosed amount).
IVC Filter Manufacturer
The current manufacturers involved in the IVC filter lawsuits are:
- Bard
- Cook Medical
- Rex Medical
- Cordis
- Argon
- ALN
- Boston Scientific