Defective Blood Clot Filter Lawyers

Were you severely injured by a defective blood clot filter? If so, you could be owed significant financial compensation from the device’s manufacturer. With an experienced defective medical device lawyer like those at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP on your side, you could get the answers, compensation, and justice that you deserve.

An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a small metal device implanted in the inferior vena cava. This is the main blood vessel that runs from the legs to the heart. When implanted, an IVC filter prevents pulmonary embolisms, blood clots that travel to the lungs. It catches these clots, breaking them down over time, and allows blood to flow around the device. Unfortunately, IVC filters contain defects that can cause severe injuries and long-term complications.

Our attorneys have more than two decades of experience taking on large medical device companies and holding them accountable for their actions. You should have the opportunity to pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical costs and associated expenses caused by your injuries. At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, we understand the struggles you might be facing and will remain by your side to help you through this challenging time. Call us today at (205) 324-1212 for a free consultation.

Common Blood Clot Filter Defects

When functioning correctly, the heart pumps blood to the lungs, picking up oxygen and returning it to the heart. The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped to other parts of the body. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can interfere with this process, causing blood clots in the legs. When that happens, the clots can break free and travel through the inferior vena cava towards the heart and lungs. This ends up blocking proper blood flow, potentially resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

The IVC filter is supposed to catch and trap blood clots before making their way to the lungs. A doctor inserts it into the vein, expanding and attaching to the walls. It’s useful in preventing pulmonary embolisms, but patients began developing complications. Studies found various defects that could lead to injuries and even death.

The defects commonly associated with IVC filters that can lead to injuries are:

• Migration – A blood clot filter should stay in place after a surgeon inserts it into the vein. However, if it moves from its original location to another part of the body, it can damage the inferior vena cava and tissue surrounding it.
• Clogs – The device traps blood clots until they eventually break down. Blood should still circulate throughout the body, but clogs could form in the filter that prevents this from happening.
• Fracture – IVC filters contain small metal legs that could break off and travel through the vein. This can cause infection, organ perforation, and tissue damage. If it travels to the lungs or heart, the patient could die.
• Trouble during removal – IVC filters are supposed to be a temporary solution to preventing blood clots. They should not remain in a person’s body long-term. Unfortunately, the doctor might have difficulty removing it if it migrates to another part of the body or adheres to the vein.
• Perforation – The filter could pierce the inferior vena cava wall, causing damage to the vein and surrounding organs, such as the lungs, heart, liver, or kidneys.

If any of the defects above or another type of defect caused your injuries, you should consult an experienced blood clot filter lawsuit attorney from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP immediately. We can review your medical records and determine if the device used during your surgery contains a defect that could have contributed to your medical issues. Do not leave your case in the hands of an inexperienced or unqualified law firm. We know specific laws and procedures to follow to pursue the compensation necessary for our clients’ recovery.

Common Side Effects Associated with Defective Blood Clot Filters

Medical devices come with certain risks. You could get hurt or face a worsening medical condition if it’s ineffective. However, defects aren’t just accidents. They are dangers that the manufacturer is aware of but does nothing to repair them or warn consumers.

IVC filter defects can lead to various complications, such as:

• Venous thrombosis
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Organ damage
• Perforated arteries, vessels, or veins
• Decreased blood flow
• Tissue damage
• Pulmonary embolism
• Infections
• Internal bleeding
• Stroke
• Death

The symptoms you’re experiencing could indicate that your IVC filter is defective. These symptoms might include:

• Lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Hemorrhaging
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Shortness of breath
• Hypotension
• Neck pain

Many cases involve a fracture of the filter, sending sharp metal pieces through the vein. It can lead to severe pain and cause death without immediate medical intervention. Some people suffer secondary injuries if the filter pieces puncture the vein and migrate to the heart. It could pierce the heart’s chambers, causing an arrhythmia. Fluid could also build up in the area surrounding the heart muscle, leading to an irregular heartbeat.

If your IVC filter is defective and caused your injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for the harm you’ve suffered and the treatment needed to correct the issues. The device’s manufacturer could owe you significant compensation for your treatment and other losses. At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our legal team has the experience, skills, and resources to hold the manufacturer accountable.

Types of Defects in Product Liability Cases

Product liability involves a manufacturer being held liable for their defective product that caused injuries to a consumer. The blood clot filter you have might contain a defect you didn’t know about that led to your injuries. Three types of product defects exist:

Design defect – There is a flaw in the design, making the product inherently dangerous for someone to use. You must prove the following to recover compensation from the manufacturer:

• The design of the IVC filter contained a defect before the manufacturing process started;
• The company should have known that the defect could result in an injury; and
• There was an alternative design they could have used to prevent the defect.

Manufacturing defect – An error occurred during the manufacturing or assembly process that created a dangerous product. Although the IVC filter had a safe design, someone made a mistake that caused a defect, making it unsafe to use.

Common problems during manufacturing include:

• Failing to follow quality assurance guidelines.
• Using incorrect or ineffective materials.
• Using defective parts.

It must have left the factory with that defect and directly caused your injury to hold the manufacturer liable.

Failure to warn – Also called a marketing defect, results from the manufacturer failing to provide warning labels and instructions. They must include instructions so the consumer knows how to properly use their product and warning labels for risks they could face.

IVC filters can be effective at preventing blood clots but could also cause patients harm. An adequate warning label should include these details:

• Defects the product could contain;
• Possible risks associated with the defects; and
• Instructions on how to use the product to avoid injuries.

Product liability also involves theories of liability you could use in your lawsuit to prove that the manufacturer is responsible for your injury. They are:

Negligence – Negligence is the failure of one party to use reasonable care to avoid causing harm to another. You must show that the manufacturer did not take the necessary steps to ensure the IVC filter didn’t contain defects and their failure led to your injuries.

Strict liability – Even though you used the blood clot filter as intended, it contained an unreasonably unsafe defect. You don’t have to prove the manufacturer was careless in making the product as long as the conditions below exist:

• The IVC filter was unreasonably dangerous due to a defect that occurred during the design, manufacturing, or shipping process;
• The defect led to your injury despite using it correctly; and
• There weren’t any substantial changes to the filter after the manufacturer sold it.

Breach of warranty – Products typically come with a warranty that guarantees it meets specific guidelines and will work properly. If your blood clot filter failed and caused your injury, the manufacturer could be held liable for expenses resulting from necessary medical treatment.

Two types of warranties include:

• Express warranty – A verbal or written guarantee that a product meets quality and reliability standards.
• Implied warranty – A guarantee that a product will work for its intended purpose.

Preparing a lawsuit can be confusing and complicated, especially if you’ve never needed to take legal action before. The blood clot filter lawsuit attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can take on this responsibility while you’re treating your injuries with your doctors. We can collect relevant evidence proving your IVC filter was defective, and the manufacturer should assume financial responsibility for your resulting costs.

Contact a Defective Medical Device Lawyer

Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has a team of knowledgeable defective medical device attorneys who have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Alabama. We understand the complexities of filing lawsuits against large manufacturing companies and how to handle obstacles that come our way. When you hire us, we will fight for the compensation you need and deserve to heal and get your life back on track.

Call us at (205) 324-1212 right now if you sustained injuries from a defective IVC filter. One of our blood clot filter lawsuit attorneys will meet with you for a free consultation and immediately begin working on your case.