IVC Filter Lawsuit Attorneys in Houston, TX

What Is an IVC Filter?

A tiny device called an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter can prevent blood clots from traveling up into the lungs. The inferior vena cava is a big vein in your body’s center. The device is implanted during a quick procedure.

One technique for preventing pulmonary embolism is to use an IVC filter. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a key vein in the lower body that returns oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. The blood is subsequently pumped to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. The IVC filter is a  tiny, wiry device.  Blood passes through the filter after it is inserted into your IVC. The filter traps blood clots, preventing them from reaching the heart and lungs. This reduces the risk of a pulmonary embolism.

The IVC filter is inserted into a vein in your groin or neck through a tiny incision. In this vein, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is placed. After that, the catheter is softly inserted into your IVC. The catheter is sent with a deflated IVC filter. The catheter is withdrawn, but the filter is kept in place. After that, the filter grows and adheres to the IVC’s walls. It may be left in place indefinitely. It may be withdrawn after a length of time in some situations.

It’s crucial to remember that IVC filters don’t protect you from deep vein thrombosis. It’s possible that you’ll still have this problem. If you have a deep vein thrombosis, the filter can help prevent you from a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

What Are IVC Filters Used For?

IVC filters were created to break up the formation of blood clots, lowering or eliminating the risk of embolism in the person who had the device implanted. When they first came out on the market, the filters were marketed as a safe option for those whose blood-thinning medicines weren’t working as well as they should.

When it is determined that the risk of recurrent pulmonary embolisms is too high to rely on drugs or delay further treatment, medical professionals implant the device. The prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism when anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated is one of the most common examples of this situation.

Aside from the aforementioned situation, IVCs are commonly utilized when other anticoagulant therapies have failed to prevent thromboembolic illness. In addition to functioning as a direct replacement for anticoagulant medication, IVC filters are also utilized as an emergency treatment for severe pulmonary embolisms in which medicines are rendered useless.

Why Are Blood Filter Lawsuits Being Filed?

Doctors have implanted IVC filters in patients for years to prevent pulmonary embolism. Unfortunately, many patients have suffered severe health complications, including stroke, from IVC filters.

The devices can lead to several complications, including:

• Migration
• Breakage
• Perforation of veins and organs
• Failure to stop clots from reaching the lungs
• Venous thrombotic events
• Pulmonary embolism

The highest rate of failure occurs in retrievable filters that were not removed when no longer needed.

IVC Filter Placement Complications

IVC filters come from a variety of manufacturers, and some have been connected to serious damage and death. Below, we list some of the potential complications that arise from IVC filter placement.

• Bleeding at the access site
• Misplacement
• Migration of the filter to the heart or lungs
• Failure of the filter to open
• Fracturing of the filter
• Infection
• Vein perforation
• Blood flow blockage that causes clots
• Difficulty removing the filter
• Puncturing of organs
• Filter embolization

The “legs” of these implants will break off and travel to other regions of the body if they fracture. These pointy and tiny legs have been able to penetrate through the body and cause harm to the heart and lungs.

Embolization of the filter parts is especially terrifying since the filter would be pushed into the heart, inflicting massive internal damage. The FDA began advising that all patients with an IVC filter have it removed if their health allows it in 2010.

Long-Term Risks of IVC Filters

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Infections
• Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion
• Air embolisms
• Cardiac tamponade
• Filter clogged by blood clots

What Are Symptoms of a Blood Filter Complication?

Many people may have no initial symptoms, while others may suffer acute discomfort or serious difficulties years later, depending on the type of condition. The adverse effects can be severe and hazardous in rare cases. You may experience symptoms of implant complications if IVC filter pieces break and travel to other parts of the body, like the heart or lungs. The symptoms of IVC filter complications include the following.

• Chest pain
• Heart rhythm problems
• Neck pain
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Hypotension
• Redness, tenderness, or swelling at the incision site
• Fever
• Infection symptoms
• Bleeding or bruising
• Leg pain
• Leg swelling
• Soreness or cramps in the calf or other parts of the leg
• Discolored or red skin on the leg

Many more symptoms exist that depend on the exact complication you experience. The potential damages you may suffer from IVC filter complications are severe. Therefore, we recommend speaking with your doctor about treatment or removal options if you have one of these devices.

What Should I Do If I Think My IVC Filter Is Putting Me at Risk for an Injury?

If you are concerned about the status of your IVC filter, you should consult your medical care provider as soon as possible. Get a second opinion if you are not sure your doctor has made the right choice. Ultimately, your medical care is up to you and your doctor. If you feel you were not properly informed of the risks of IVC filters and you have been injured as a result, it is time to consider filing an IVC filter lawsuit.

How Much Will It Cost to File an IVC Filter Lawsuit?

Personal injury claims are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no legal fees unless your attorney recovers compensation for your injuries. You pay nothing upfront, and the risk of loss is on the law firm or attorney you choose to represent you.

How Can Filing an IVC Filter Lawsuit Help Me?

Serious medical device injuries can result in significant financial consequences for victims. You may face multiple revision surgeries, long-term medical care, pain and suffering, lost income/wages from being unable to work, disability challenges and more. Filing an injury lawsuit for your IVC filter complications can help you get the financial support you need during this difficult time.

How Long will My IVC Filter Lawsuit Take?

A typical IVC filter lawsuit, like any other type of personal injury lawsuit, goes through several phases. While each case is unique, there are several elements that will influence your case’s timeframe.

IVC filter lawsuits can be difficult, whether you’re claiming that the IVC filter was faulty or that the health care practitioner who treated you made an unjustified error. In light of the plaintiff’s symptoms, there may be problems to address straight away, such as the applicable statute of limitations filing date. There will undoubtedly be mountains of medical documents to go through, as well as expert witnesses to question.

As a result, some parts of your case will almost certainly take longer than they would in a less difficult case (one arising from a car accident, for instance). This is especially true when it comes to the discovery process and the filing of pretrial motions, which serve as the groundwork for any trial.

You are one of the most important factors in determining how long your IVC filter lawsuit will take. You’ll get some money if the defendant offers you a settlement early on, but you might not be getting full and fair recompense for your losses. Early settlement is typically not a smart option, especially if there are still a lot of unknowns, like a thorough diagnosis of your IVC filter problems or a clear image of the medical therapy you’ll need.

How Long Do I Have to File an IVC Filter Lawsuit?

Many states have a two-year statute of limitations. This means you have two years from the date of your injury to file your claim against the negligent party. In this case, that party is the IVC filter manufacturer. Different statutes of limitations apply to individuals in different jurisdictions, so consult an attorney to get a better understanding of how these deadlines apply in your specific case.

Any potential plaintiff should consult an experienced attorney before pursuing any of the formal lawsuit processes discussed in this article. A qualified lawyer can explain the regulations in your jurisdiction as well as the complete range of strategic choices available to you. An attorney can explain the benefits and drawbacks of settlement, such as the fact that after you’ve agreed to a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for additional money, even if your injuries are worse than you anticipated.