Denver Bard PowerPort Lawsuit
When you are suffering from a debilitating or complicated medical condition, you only want to focus on your recovery. Coping with the constant fear and pain of routine injections and medical appointments can feel daunting. For many patients, one medical device offered the prospect of fewer injections and less pain. The Bard PowerPort medical device system is supposed to remove some of the fear and stress from patients needing frequent injections. Unfortunately, patients and physicians did not know these medical devices could pose a significant threat to the health and safety of those using them.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys know you’ve already been through enough. Coping with a significant medical condition is challenging without the knowledge that a medical device designed to make your life easier could make you worse.
Have you been diagnosed with medical complications resulting from a Bard PowerPort medical device? Discuss your situation with the knowledgeable Denver legal team at The Wilhite Law Firm. Our skilled attorneys want to review your situation and help you determine whether you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Contact our Denver office today for a free case review.
What Is the Bard PowerPort?
Some medical conditions require frequent blood draws, injections, and IV lines as part of the treatment process. Over time, it can become more and more difficult for medical staff to access viable veins for injections.
The Bard PowerPort is a medical device that sought to address the mental and physical issues surrounding frequent injections. The PowerPort device itself is about the size of a quarter. The port is positioned underneath a person’s skin, typically in the arm or the upper chest. A small, flexible tube called a catheter is attached to the port and extends into a large central vein in the body. Medical staff use a specialized needle to deliver medication into the port and the bloodstream via the catheter. They can also withdraw blood samples from the port.
Who Is the Manufacturer of the Bard PowerPort?
Bard Access Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company, designed, manufactured, marketed, and sold the Bard PowerPort.
Why Has the PowerPort Been Used?
In patients requiring frequent IVs, injections, or blood draws, the Bard PowerPort implant is meant to offer easier access for healthcare professionals and less stress for the patient. Typically, patients receiving chemotherapy or those with autoimmune system disorders are good candidates for a port implant device.
Have There Been Problems with the PowerPort?
The Bard PowerPort system was supposed to make medical treatments less painful and complicated for patients and physicians. Unfortunately, problems associated with using the device were hidden from public record for decades – even though the manufacturer claimed their products were safe and effective.
In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally addressed the complications. They claimed that more than two million adverse event reports for various devices had not been released to the public or physicians. Multiple device issues finally came to light, including a potential defect with the catheter tubes used in Bard PowerPort devices. These tubes were manufactured with barium sulfate. Studies indicate that when exposed to the bloodstream, barium sulfate can cause the surface of the catheter to degrade. Other common problems associated with the Bard PowerPort medical device include:
- Catheter fracture
- Catheter pieces breaking off, requiring them to be surgically removed
- Catheter migration
- 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
Unfortunately, many of these complications can cause significant medical problems, injuries, and death.
Was the PowerPort’s Manufacturer Aware of These Problems?
The manufacturer may have known about problems with the device early on. The manufacturer of the Bard PowerPort system was given permission by the FDA under the 501(k) provision to market their medical device without the usual rigorous testing and evaluation. The 501k provision allows manufacturers to market medical devices if they demonstrate the device they are promoting is equivalent in function and safety to other previously approved devices.
Decades later, an investigation by Kaiser Health News notes how manufacturers may have been using FDA 501k exemptions to hide product problems and patient injuries from the public. FDA exemptions meant the company could continue to file reports of potential complications in a database that doctors and the public could not access.
What Are the Various Bard PowerPort Devices?
There are numerous varieties of PowerPort medical implant devices. Some of the most common devices manufactured today include:
- 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
Is There a Recall on the PowerPort Device?
The FDA has not issued a recall for Bard PowerPort devices and products based on the issues outlined in the complaints to date.
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against the Manufacturer?
Many patients implanted with the Bard PowerPort system report experiencing similar injuries and complications. An increasing number of people are seeking compensation for their injuries by filing lawsuits against the manufacturer. Lawyers recently filed a motion to consolidate Bard PowerPort cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL). However, the manufacturer continues to push back against claims their product is unsafe and resists efforts to consolidate lawsuits into MDL or a single class action lawsuit.
Who Can File a PowerPort Lawsuit?
How do you know if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the Bard PowerPort medical implant manufacturer? Talk to your doctor and make sure you have a Bard PowerPort device. Next, ask yourself if you have experienced significant complications like infection, migration, or fracture associated with the device. If you suffered injuries or financial losses related to complications from the Bard PowerPort implant, you may have a case against the manufacturer.
How Do I File a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit?
Discuss your unique situation with a skilled Denver product liability attorney. An attorney can review your case, gather evidence, and calculate your losses before preparing your case for court. This is not a case you should handle on your own.
How Much Does It Cost to File a PowerPort Lawsuit?
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we know that cost may prevent you from seeking the legal help you need during this challenging time. We offer a free case review, and we don’t get paid until we successfully recover compensation for you.
How Would the Compensation in a PowerPort Lawsuit Be Determined?
Your compensation can vary depending on the circumstances of your situation. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we carefully review your case and calculate the fair value of your financial losses. In most cases, individuals can seek money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Contact a Denver Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Attorney
Medical device manufacturers should put your health and safety first. When they fail and a medical device causes dangerous complications, you can attempt to hold the company accountable for its actions.
Contact our Denver team at The Wilhite Law Firm to discuss your case and how we may be able to help you demand the compensation you deserve. Get your free case evaluation today with a skilled Denver personal injury lawyer.
