IVC Filter Complication Litigation

IVC Filters and Unnecessary Complications

Unparalleled negotiation and litigation skills are your most powerful resources during the complex legal process
Statistics indicate that nearly 600,000 people develop blood clots, or pulmonary embolisms, each year in the United States. One of the most common ways to treat and prevent future blood clots is through the implantation of an Inferior Vena Cava Filter (IVC). This procedure involves placing a cone-shaped, cage-like device into the inferior vena cava, the primary blood vessel in the abdomen that moves blood from the lower body to the heart. Unfortunately, many patients experience significant complications due to improper monitoring following IVC filter placement. At Osborne, Francis & Pettis, our Florida medical device liability attorneys have helped numerous patients recover damages for medical expenses, as well as physical and emotional distress, caused by IVC filter adverse events.

What types of complications are associated with IVC filters?

In patients with a history of blood clots or an increased risk of developing future clots, IVC filters provide a means of preventing serious injury or death. However, IVC filters are not without risks and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received numerous reports of serious complications attributable to IVC filters. The most common side effects include

• Insertion site thrombosis
• Filter migration
• Perforation of the vena cava
• Embolization caused by pieces of the filter traveling to the lungs or heart
• Filter fracture
• Difficulty removing the filter

Historically, IVC filters were meant to be permanent implants. Now, most filters are removable and the FDA recommends removal as soon as the risk of pulmonary embolism is decreased. In many cases, an IVC filter may be inserted for short-term use, but is left in much longer than needed. Failing to properly monitor the patient and not removing the IVC filter greatly increases the risks of long-term complications. Our medical negligence attorneys work hard to investigate your case while gathering information from your medical record and evidence to support your claims. It is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible after you experience complications to ensure that your case is handled expediently and complies with the Statute of Limitations.