Why People File IVC Filter Lawsuits
An IVC filter, or inferior vena cava filter, is a medical device that is surgically placed into the inferior vena cava, which is the main vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart and lungs. The purpose of the IVC filter is to catch blood clots that may have formed after trauma or surgery and prevent them from traveling to the heart or lungs, where they can do great damage or even cause death. The IVC filter was approved by the FDA in 1979, but it was later found by the American College of Cardiology that these devices were being overused and not properly monitored. Many patients developed complications from the devices, which led to physical damage along with pain and suffering. If you’ve been injured by an IVC filter, you should consult with a Houston personal injury lawyer who will defend your rights.
FDA Warnings and Adverse Events
Years after the initial approval of the IVC filter by the FDA, the agency received many reports of various adverse events and product issues related to the device. Even though the device was meant to prevent the migration of blood clots into dangerous areas like the heart and lungs, the device itself sometimes migrated and formed clots around it. Filter breakage was also known to occur, as well as difficulty in removing the device, which was designed to be a temporary intervention. Many devices were also left in place much longer than they were actually needed.
IVC Filter Complications
The IVC filter is documented to have caused many complications related to its use. Between the years 2005 and 2010 alone, nearly 1,000 adverse events were reported to the FDA related to the IVC filter. There are cases of perforation of organs and blood vessels as well as deep vein thrombosis caused by the device. There are even cases of internal bleeding from the device that ultimately resulted in death. Between the years of 2005 and 2015, there were about 81,000 recalls of the IVC filter from its various manufacturers.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Personal injury lawyers at Lassiter Law Firm have been helping the injured in Texas for more than twenty years. We are based in Houston, Texas and look forward to supporting clients throughout the Houston area including Houston Metroplex, DFW Metroplex, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Austin, and San Antonio, TX. If you are facing a situation with an IVC filter that requires legal action, we are here to help. We will use our knowledge and experience to evaluate your case and get you the compensation for your injuries that you deserve. Visit our web page at legalteamhouston.com or call us at (713) 521 – 0104 regarding your free initial consultation today.
