The big risk that comes from IVCs is if they break. IVCs force veins open and prevent clots from flowing into the heart or brain. This is important to prevent severe injury or death, but if the devices break a worse problem results.
According to the Daily Hornet, a woman has filed suit in Mississippi after her IVC filter failed. The IVC filter was a second generation filter made by C.R. Bard. Their first generation filter was pulled off the market without a recall after reports came that the devices break or migrate within five years for a large number of patients.
The second generation of the device came onto the market without testing, because it was largely similar to the first device. It came onto the market in 2005, but was pulled in 2010 after the same problems came up again. The plaintiff had her device installed in 2009. Studies have shown that there is a 40% chance that this type of filter will break or move within five years of implantation.
Anything that gets implanted in the body carries a risk of side effects, but when the effects are that great, that’s a problem that deserves compensation. These IVCs in their current state should never have been allowed to go onto the market. Now the company must pay for the people they’ve injured.
If you have had an IVC installed and later developed complications, contact John Foy & Associates today for a free consultation. You may be able to join a class action lawsuit.