Dallas Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Lawyer
Dealing with the pain and anxiety of constant injections can be frightening and stressful. Many patients coping with the hassle of routine injections welcome any medical device promising to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
That’s where the Bard PowerPort medical devices come into play. The device was designed to make your life just a little simpler in the middle of a stressful medical condition. You and your physician trust that the manufacturers of these PowerPort products provide safe and reliable equipment and devices. Unfortunately, these medical devices may cause more problems than they solve.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the pain and confusion of finding out a trusted medical device may have injured you far more than it helped you. Our legal team is committed to helping individuals injured by defective medical devices demand the compensation they deserve.
Have you been diagnosed with medical complications from a Bard PowerPort medical device? Talk to the legal team at The Wilhite Law Firm today about your experience. We can review your situation and help determine if you may be eligible to pursue meaningful compensation for your losses. Contact our Dallas office today to arrange for a free case review.
What Is the Bard PowerPort?
No one likes getting stuck with a needle, especially when you suffer from a medical condition that requires frequent injections. The Bard PowerPort system seeks to solve that painful problem for patients.
The Bard PowerPort is a small medical device about the size of a quarter. A physician places the port under a person’s skin, either in the arm or chest. The port connects to a small, soft tube called a catheter. The physician then places the catheter inside a large central vein in the body.
A unique needle can be placed into the port, delivering medication into the bloodstream via the catheter. Blood samples can also be withdrawn through the port without requiring multiple needle sticks.
What Types of Patients Is the PowerPort Most Used For?
When a physician or medical staff needs regular or repeated access to a patient’s vascular system, that patient may be a good candidate for the Bard PowerPort medical device. These patients may include individuals undergoing chemotherapy or with severe autoimmune disorders requiring frequent injections. A port catheter implant device makes these injections less painful and traumatic for the patient and medical staff.
What Types of Problems Have Been Associated with the Bard PowerPort?
Unfortunately, patients using the Bard PowerPort system and their physicians have reported numerous problems and complications associated with using the device. The manufacturer of the device described their products as safe and reliable for years. However, complaints have shown an alarmingly high rate of problems over the past two decades, potentially due to defective design.
One problem with the catheter tube suggests that these small, flexible tubes were manufactured with barium sulfate. Barium sulfate can cause the surface of the catheter to degrade when exposed to the bloodstream. Other problems associated with the Bard PowerPort medical device include:
- Catheter fracture
- Catheter pieces breaking off, requiring surgical removal
- Catheter migration, where the catheter moves from its original insertion point
- Pericardial tamponade, or pressure from the buildup of blood around the heart
- Cardiac punctures
- Infections
- Blood clots
- Damage to the vascular system
- Pulmonary embolism
- Organ damage
- Lacerated blood vessels
These complications can cause significant injuries and potentially even death.
Has the Manufacturer of the Bard PowerPort Been Aware of These Problems?
The manufacturer of the Bard PowerPort system started marketing their device under special FDA rules known as the 501(k) provision. This provision allows the manufacturer to market their medical device without undergoing extensive FDA pre-market requirements. However, they must demonstrate that it is equivalent in effectiveness and safety to other previously approved devices.
In 2019, an investigative report by Kaiser Health News highlighted how manufacturers may have been concealing product problems and hiding patient injuries from the public. FDA exemptions meant the company could file reports of malfunctions and complications in a database hidden from doctors and the public. Without adequate information or warning, doctors and patients could not reasonably make informed decisions about the risks of moving forward with a Bard PowerPort implant – despite growing evidence that there were problems with the product.
Is There More Than One Bard PowerPort Device?
The manufacturer produces several varieties of the Bard PowerPort medical device, including:
- PowerPort ClearVUE ISP
- PowerPort ClearVUE Slim
- PowerPort Implantable Port
- PowerPort M.R.I. Implantable Port
- PowerPort duo M.R.I. Implantable Port
- PowerPort ISP Implantable Port
Has a Recall Been Issued on the PowerPort Device?
The FDA has not issued a recall of the Bard PowerPort products based on the issues currently being identified in lawsuits. Contact a Dallas personal injury attorney at The Wilhite Firm today.
Has a Class Action Lawsuit Been Filed Against the PowerPort Manufacturer?
There are a growing number of lawsuits against the Bard PowerPort medical device system manufacturer. In late May, a motion was filed seeking to consolidate Bard PowerPort cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL). However, the manufacturer is pushing back against the claims against them. They are attempting to avoid a class action lawsuit or MDL despite evidence and the plaintiff’s claims that the product’s flawed design contributed to similar injuries and complications.
How Do I Know If I Am Eligible to File a PowerPort Lawsuit?
Did you receive a Bard PowerPort device and experience significant complications like infection, migration, or catheter fracture? Did you suffer significant injuries or financial losses related to complications from the device? Then you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer to pursue compensation for your losses.
What Is the Process for Filing a PowerPort Lawsuit?
The first step in the legal process is talking to an experienced Dallas product liability attorney about your situation. A knowledgeable attorney can review your case, gather vital evidence, calculate your losses, and guide you through the next steps in the legal process. An attorney can also manage crucial legal deadlines and keep your case on track.
What Does It Cost to File the Lawsuit?
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand that most people view cost as a significant barrier to seeking the legal help they need. We offer a free case review to help you understand your legal rights, and we don’t charge you upfront hourly fees. We work on a contingency basis only, meaning you won’t have to pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
What Compensation Might Be Available for the Lawsuit?
The value of your case depends on your unique circumstances and the severity of your complications. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we carefully calculate your financial losses to determine your case’s fair value. Often, patients injured by defective medical devices can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Contact a Dallas Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Attorney
Have you been injured or diagnosed with Bard PowerPort medical implant complications? Contact the Dallas legal team at The Wilhite Law Firm for a free case review. Let’s discuss your legal rights and what you can do to hold the manufacturer accountable.
