Des Moines Inferior Vena Cava Filter / IVC Injury Lawyers
Iowa Inferior Vena Cava Filter Injury Lawyer
Iowa Inferior Vena Cava Filter (IVC) Injury Lawyer. Contact us today for a free consultation. 515-495-6316 or via email.
An Inferior Vena Cava Filter is a blood clot filter that is placed in the large vein the leads to the heart. These filters have been show to move or breakdown after they are implanted. These breakdowns can puncture the Vena Cava itself or other internal organs.
If you had one of these filters placed and suffered from additional injury such as those noted above, contact our Iowa personal injury law firm today for a free consultation.
We will discuss your rights and options as they pertain to these blood clot filters.
We can be reached at 515-495-6316 or via email.
Iowa IVC Injury FAQ
Medical devices implanted to protect patients shouldn’t become the source of life-threatening complications. Inferior vena cava filters were designed to prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs in patients at risk for pulmonary embolism. These small metal devices, inserted into the body’s largest vein, were supposed to be temporary safeguards during vulnerable periods. Instead, thousands of patients have suffered device migration, organ perforation, fracture, and other serious complications when filters remained implanted too long or failed catastrophically. At Law Group of Iowa, we represent patients harmed by defective IVC filters, pursuing compensation from manufacturers who prioritized profits over the safety of vulnerable patients who had no choice but to trust these devices.
Who Manufactures Defective IVC Filters?
Several manufacturers have faced lawsuits over dangerous IVC filter designs. C.R. Bard manufactured the Recovery, G2, and G2 Express filters linked to high complication rates. Cook Medical produced the Celect and Gunther Tulip filters associated with device failures. Boston Scientific’s Greenfield filter has been implicated in patient injuries. These companies face liability for design defects, inadequate testing, failure to warn about risks, and continued marketing despite knowledge of serious complications. We pursue claims against manufacturers whose defective products caused preventable harm to patients who relied on medical professionals’ recommendations.
What Complications Do IVC Filters Cause?
Device migration occurs when filters move from their original placement, traveling through veins toward the heart or other organs. Perforation happens when filter struts pierce through the vena cava wall into surrounding organs including the liver, kidneys, or intestines. Filter fracture causes pieces to break off and travel through the bloodstream, potentially lodging in the heart or lungs. Tilting prevents filters from functioning properly and increases perforation risk. Blood clots can form on the device itself, creating the very problem filters were meant to prevent. Infection at the insertion site or on the device requires aggressive antibiotic treatment. We document these complications with medical imaging and expert testimony.
Why Were Retrievable Filters Supposed To Be Temporary?
Manufacturers marketed retrievable IVC filters as temporary devices meant for removal once clot risk decreased. The FDA recommended removal within 29 to 54 days after implantation. However, many patients never had their filters removed due to physician oversight, difficulty scheduling procedures, or lack of follow-up communication. The longer filters remain implanted, the higher the complication risk becomes. Manufacturers knew about these time-dependent risks but failed to establish adequate tracking systems or remind physicians about removal. This systemic failure left thousands of patients with unnecessary devices that became ticking time bombs.
How Do We Prove Your Filter Caused Injuries?
Medical records documenting filter implantation, type, and manufacturer establish which device you received. Imaging studies including X-rays, CT scans, and fluoroscopy show filter position, migration, fracture, or perforation. Surgical reports from procedures to remove filters or repair damage provide detailed evidence of complications. Testimony from vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists explains how your specific filter failed and caused injuries. FDA adverse event reports and medical literature document known problems with your particular filter model. We work with medical device engineers who analyze design defects that made complications predictable and preventable.
What Damages Can IVC Filter Patients Recover?
Emergency surgery costs to remove migrated or fractured filters add substantial medical expenses. Procedures to repair organ damage from perforation require hospitalization and extended recovery. Long-term anticoagulation therapy and monitoring create ongoing medical costs. Lost wages account for time away from work during multiple procedures and recovery periods. Pain and suffering damages address physical discomfort from complications and surgical interventions. Permanent organ damage or chronic pain warrants additional compensation. Reduced quality of life from ongoing medical needs and activity restrictions affects daily living. We calculate all costs associated with filter complications to pursue comprehensive compensation.
Why Didn’t Your Doctor Remove The Filter?
Many physicians who implant IVC filters work in hospital settings and don’t follow patients long-term. Responsibility for removal often falls to primary care doctors who may not be aware the device needs extraction. Inadequate tracking systems mean patients get lost to follow-up. Some doctors incorrectly believe filters are permanent once implanted beyond a certain timeframe. Communication breakdowns between specialists and primary care providers leave patients uninformed about removal needs. These systemic failures reflect broader problems with how retrievable filters were marketed and managed, contributing to widespread complications.
How Does The FDA’s Safety Communication Impact Claims?
The FDA issued safety communications in 2010 and 2014 warning about IVC filter complications and recommending timely removal. These warnings acknowledged that serious adverse events occur and that retrieval should happen once protection is no longer needed. The FDA’s own recognition of filter dangers strengthens liability claims by confirming that complications represent known risks. However, manufacturers continued selling these devices and failed to implement adequate safeguard systems. We use FDA communications as evidence that manufacturers knew about dangers and should have done more to protect patients.
What Should You Do If You Have An IVC Filter?
Determine which manufacturer made your filter and when it was implanted by requesting medical records. Contact your physician to discuss whether the filter should be removed if clot risk has decreased. Monitor for symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding that might indicate complications. Undergo imaging to check filter position and integrity if you’ve had the device for an extended period. Document any complications or symptoms you’ve experienced. Contact us to evaluate whether you have a claim against the manufacturer, particularly if you’ve suffered migration, fracture, perforation, or required surgical intervention.
IVC filters were supposed to protect you, not cause additional harm requiring emergency surgery and long-term complications. An inferior vena cava filter ivc injury lawyer Iowa patients trust can investigate your device, gather medical evidence of failure, and pursue compensation from manufacturers whose defective products damaged your health. We understand medical device litigation and the specific problems associated with IVC filters. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your IVC filter complications and learn about your legal options for holding manufacturers accountable.
Client Review
“Facilities are amazing and the staff have outstanding customer service.”
Emily S.
