Attorney Joe Johnson was recently interviewed on NBC affiliate WPTV in Palm Beach, Florida about the potentially dangerous complications associated with blood clot filters called Inferior Vena Cava filters (also called IVC filters). The story titled, “FDA warns of potentially deadly complications associated with blood clot filter implants” starts with Johnson’s client, a South Florida woman alleging her filter malfunctioned and caused her life threatening injuries.

Attorney Joe Johnson explains he was involved in the litigation against IVC filter manufacturer, Bard Medical for quite some time. Johnson said there are at least 100,000 people who have been implanted with the Bard G2 filters. Given Bard’s own numbers showing a 50% success rate, this medical device has the potential to injure more people than help.

Here is additional information on IVC filters and the problems surrounding their use:

  • IVC filter device featured in the story was created by Bard Medical, in the fall of 2010.
  • The purpose of the IVC filter device is to filter or “catch” blood clots that travel from the lower portions of the body to the heart and lungs.
  • They are designed to be implanted, either permanently or temporarily, within the body, specifically into the inferior vena cava. This is a large vein that carries  deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium of the heart.
  • The FDA recommends that implanting physicians and clinicians responsible for the ongoing care of patients with IVC filters consider removing the filter as soon as protection from pulmonary embolism is no longer needed.

Problems arise with the IVC filters when parts of the device breaking can break loose inside the body where movement or migration of the device through the body can occur. This migration can puncture or cause perforation of organs.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a defective IVC filter, you and your family may be entitled to financial compensation to help with medical costs, lost wages and other expenses. It’s important you speak to experienced IVC filter lawyers with a proven record of success in handling cases involving defective IVC filter devices, nationwide.

Contact Babbitt & Johnson P.A., to schedule a free consultation about your IVC filter lawsuit claim, with one of our experienced IVC filter lawyers.

Sources:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_vena_cava

FDA recommendations:
http://1.usa.gov/1LZUkA4

WPTV news story:
http://bit.ly/1KLyBui