Inferior Vena Cava Filters, which are more commonly called IVC filters, are a type of implant that doctors use when they are performing surgery. The filters have been designed to protect patients from embolisms and blood clots that can occur after surgery and to save lives.
It is surprising since when the ingenious devices were initially developed, they were viewed as being life-savers. They have unfortunately caused a lot of suffering and harm. A patient who has suffered due to an IVC filter may file a lawsuit and with assistance from an aggressive Atlanta mass tort attorney with Rueb Stoller Daniel, can seek compensation for the injuries they have suffered.
What is an IVC Filter?
An IVC is a small metal filter put inside the inferior vena cava. It has been designed to hold blood clots and to prevent them from passing through and causing harm. Eventually, the clots will dissolve. That can help to prevent such problems as blood clots that may occur in other parts of the body.
One of the biggest manufacturing companies that produce IVC filters is Bard. Two specific kinds of Bar filters have been found to be defective, the G2 model and the Recovery model. Not long after being fitted with one of these implants, many patients start suffering complications.
The implants only were intended to be used temporarily. After they had finished their work, they were supposed to be removed. However, for various reasons, some surgeons have left the implants to stay inside the body for a longer period of time than what was intended.
What Complications are Caused by IVC Filters?
About 10 years ago there started to be complaints from individuals who had IVC filters. Those complaints included the following:
- The device causing various types of internal injuries.
- The filter becoming dislodge and ravels to other areas of the body.
- The filter coming apart with small pieces traveling to other areas of the body.
The FDA put a notice out to doctors informing them that the devices were not safe to use.
Some complications caused by the IVC filters include the following:
- Being unable to remove the device
- Pulmonary embolism
- Venous wall puncture
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
Patients who made complaints of their injuries that had resulted from the IVC filters did not receive an acceptable resolution from either the manufaacturer or the doctor who prescribed the treatments. So they took their cases to mass tort lawyers. Due to the number of cases related to IVC filters, they became a class action lawsuit handled by the country’s most experienced and skilled mass tort lawyers.
Related: Future of Punitive Damages in Mass Tort
Why Were IVC Lawsuits Initially Filed?
In 2015 the first patient filed a lawsuit suit due to their damages caused by an IVC filter. In that case, the patient had been given the filter before a surgical procedure. They, unfortunately, they needed to have another open-heart surgery in order to repair the damage that the IVC filter caused. It was a very strong case that was settled in just 10 days.
Along with reparative surgery, some of the other issues that IVC filters can cause include:
- Hemorrhaging
- Severe pain
- Pulmonary embolism
- Blood clots
- Heart failure
- Death
If you suffered from any of the above conditions, or have a family member who has, it is essential to your well-being and future to call a mass tort attorney. An experienced mass tort lawyer knows what needs to be done in order to obtain the compensation that you need.
What Types Of Damages Can Be Demanded By Atlanta Mass Tort Attorneys?
Depending on the specific details of your case, your lawyer might be able to seek compensation for the damages below:
Pain and Suffering
This is one of the most important types of damages and these damages along sometimes make up a majority of the jury award. Juries and judges are both quite sympathetic to a plaintiff who has suffered due to problems caused by having a defective IVC filter. Just think of having a minor surgical procedure performed and getting stuck having a defective IVC filter. You would have to go back to have another major surgery in order to have the defective filer removed. There can be considerable pain and risks involved:
Lost Wages
You most likely can imagine the injuries and pain that are caused by a defective IVC filter can make it impossible to keep up with your regular work schedule. Your attorney can calculate precisely how much wages and time were lost during that time and factor that into your lawsuit.
Medical Bills
It is not a small task to address the internal injuries that a faulty IVC filter has caused. The surgery for removing and addressing the damage is quite complex and the risk of infection is very high. A considerable amount of time needs to be spent in the hospital and very expensive medications need to be taken. This will all be very expensive, but you definitely have the right to recover your expenses.
To be eligible to file an IVC filter case you need to have suffered damages. Just having an installed file doesn’t mean you are eligible to receive compensation. Depending on where your IVC lawsuit is filed, your case might be added onto a class action lawsuit.
Call a Mass Tort Attorney in Atlanta
If you or a family member suffered due to having a faulty IVC filter, then you need to call a mass tort attorney who can examine all of the details of your case and offer you expert legal advice on the next steps to take.
Call the law offices of Rueb Stoller Daniel to speak to a Mass Tort lawyer in the city of Atlanta. Our experienced professionals will review your case and inform you of whether you have a valid case or not and how much it may be worth.
The manufacturer will have their own team of attorneys to protect their interests. Therefore, you need to have expert legal assistance also. Call today to have your free consultation scheduled. Al of our counsel and services are completely free until we win your case, so we do not charge any upfront costs.
