Tennessee IVC Filter Lawyer
Clotting is the body’s primary defense to internal bleeding and occurs when the blood thickens and clumps together. Although clotting is critical to slowing the flow of blood after an injury, it can prove deadly in specific situations. For example, certain kinds of blood clots that occur in the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can damage the valves in the veins themselves, causing them to leak. When this happens, blood can begin to pool in the affected part of the body. If the clot in the leg vein breaks free and attaches to a vessel in the lung, a blockage could occur, causing a pulmonary embolism, followed by shortness of breath and in severe cases, death.
The inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, was designed to help prevent pulmonary embolism by catching the blood clots as they attempt to travel through the inferior vena cava, which is the major vein that brings blood from the lower body to the heart. Unfortunately, IVC filters also come with a high risk of serious side effects, so if you were injured after being implanted with an IVC filter, you should consider contacting an experienced Tennessee IVC Filter lawyer who can explain your legal options.
What is an IVC Filter?
IVC filters are small devices that when placed in the inferior vena cava vein during surgery, can stop blood clots from traveling into a patient’s lungs. IVC filters are placed through a small incision made in a patient’s groin or neck. A catheter is then inserted into the vein and moved into the IVC where it deposits a filter. After the catheter is removed, the filter expands and attaches itself to the IVC. Although these devices are often removed after a short period of time, they can be placed in the IVC permanently.
IVC filters can be used in conjunction with blood thinners, which are also prescribed to help prevent the creation of blood clots. However, this option is not available to all patients, as blood thinners do come with a risk of uncontrolled bleeding.
Potential Risks
Like all procedures, the placement of an IVC filter comes with certain risks. Unfortunately, due to defective designs and a failure to warn consumers of potentially deadly side effects, some IVC filter manufacturers put thousands of patients’ lives in danger. For example, many patients who had an IVC filter surgically implanted have suffered from the following ailments:
- Infection;
- Excess bleeding;
- Allergic reaction;
- Damage to the blood vessel;
- Blood flow blockage, which can cause swelling in the legs; and
- Piercing of the heart or lungs by the filter.
After reports of these types of problems surfaced, IVC filter manufacturers came under fire for producing defective devices.
IVC Filter Lawsuits
The IVC filter manufacturers, Cook Medical Inc. and Bard have been accused of failing to warn consumers of serious adverse events associated with their products. For example, hundreds of claimants allege that defects in retrievable IVC filters make them much more likely to perforate the vena cava, fracture, or migrate to other parts of the body, all of which can be deadly. According to the FDA and injured parties, the device manufacturers used defectively designed filters, misrepresented the consequences of implantation in their marketing, and failed to warn doctors and patients of the risks of the product’s use.
Call Our Tennessee IVC Filter Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one suffered a health complication after being surgically implanted with an IVC filter, please call Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette at (866) 862-4855 to schedule an initial consultation with a dedicated defective medical device lawyer who can evaluate your case.
