When Inferior Vena Cava filters first arrived on the scene, they were hailed as a groundbreaking invention that would save many lives. Better known as IVC filters, these gadgets were designed to sit inside the Vena Cava and protect the heart and body from blood clots and embolisms that sometimes occur in the wake of a surgical procedure. Despite being designed to improve life, the invention did not always perform as expected. A Phoenix IVC filter lawsuit lawyer is here to help you hold the manufacturers of these devices responsible.
Those who have suffered injury, pain, and suffering from IVC Filters have filed lawsuits against the manufacturing companies and medical professionals responsible for applying these dangerous devices to the body. Rueb Stoller Daniel is a Phoenix mass tort law firm that is experienced in helping plaintiffs suffering damages from IVC filters find the compensation they deserve by law.
What are IVC Filters?
The IVC filter is a tiny object that offers a world of potential health benefits but is still a potentially deadly object. It is designed to sit neatly in the Inferior Vena Cava, the large vein where deoxygenated blood enters the heart. The small metallic IVC filter will hold the clots in place until they eventually dissolve and can cause no harm.
This device was manufactured for a great profit by the Bard Company. Bard created two different varieties of the IVC Filter, the Recovery and G2 models, both of which were found defective and dangerous. Many patients began to present symptoms of pain and suffering shortly after one of these devices had been installed.
When used properly, these devices are supposed to be removed once they have served their purpose, but unfortunately, many doctors have left them in the body long after their service had been fulfilled. And this has caused serious problems.
What are the Complications for IVC Filters Patients?
Only 10 years after these products had been introduced to the health industry many people begin to complain about their improper function.
Some of the complaints that were made included:
- The IVC filter broke apart and the small pieces migrated to other parts of the body.
- The IVC filter itself became dislodged from its position and moved to another place in the body causing problems.
- The IVC filter caused injuries and damages in the body.
The FDA was fast to respond to these complaints. A notice was sent out to the medical professionals most likely to use this device warning of its potential for harm. The company was also notified and encouraged to communicate these risks to all customers. Sadly, they never got around to doing this.
Some of the complications IVC filters have been known to cause include:
- Inability to remove the device
- Venous wall puncture
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
Those patients who complained of these conditions received no resolution for their conditions from the medical professionals or the manufacturers of these dangerous implants. With no solutions, they took the case to mass tort lawyers. Because of the immense amount of evidence that these implants were faulty, IVC Filter cases soon became a class action lawsuit and were handled by the most experienced and qualified lawyers from around the country.
When Were IVC Lawsuits First Filed?
The first IVC Lawsuit occurred in 2015 when a patient complained that an IVC Filter had caused damages. They had received the implant during a surgical procedure and it had begun to malfunction. They then required a second surgical procedure to open the heart and retrieve the faulty device. The overwhelming amount of evidence allowed this case to be settled in a mere 10 days.
In addition to surgery to undo the damage caused by these unsafe implants, other issues they can cause include:
- Hemorrhaging
- Severe pain
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart failure
- Blood clots
- Death
If you have been harmed through the use of IVC filters or have a loved one who has, you need legal help to compensate damages and ensure that these things do not happen in the future. Contact the law offices of Rueb Stoller Daniel to get a professional opinion on what you should do next.
What Damages Can Phoenix Mass Tort Lawyers Demand?
The details of the case will provide the specific amounts of damages that can be recovered in an IVC Filter lawsuit. Here are some of the damages often included in such a lawsuit:
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are some of the most important damages that can be sought in an IVC Filter case. These damages are often higher than the rest of the jury awarded damages combined. Jurors and judges are very sympathetic to those who have suffered from the use of a defective medical product like IVC filters.
Imagine being the person who visits a hospital for some minor and relatively risk-free surgical procedure and being implanted with such a harmful device. Your pain and suffering will then be greatly enhanced as you will have to face another extremely risky surgical procedure that will cut you open and remove the filter before more damage is caused. This represents a serious error in the treatment you received.
Lost Wages
When facing damages and the injuries caused by IVC filters, the health can be severely affected and this can make keeping up with your usual workload virtually impossible. Your lawyer will be able to include these damages in your lawsuit.
Medical Bills
An IVC filter will cause some serious health conditions that will require intense medical attention to address. The surgery, treatments, and procedures necessary to restore your health are especially complicated and will require significant cash resources to address fully. The good news is that all these costs can be covered in your IVC lawsuit.
Contact a Phoenix IVC Filter Lawsuit Lawyer
If you have received an IVC filter and have been damaged because of it, you have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for the damages you have suffered. The first step will be to contact a legal expert in mass tort lawsuits.
Our mass tort attorneys in Phoenix are here to lend an experienced perspective to your case and represent your interests. Call us today at 1-866-CALL-RSD to arrange a consultation when we will look over the details of your case and provide you some insights on what will happen next.
Never forget, the medical professionals and corporations responsible for these damages have a team of lawyers at the ready to protect their interests and fight your lawsuit. You will need a professional on your side if you are to get the full compensation you need.
