Medical device manufacturers produce a variety of implantable products, including the Bard PowerPort® or port-a-cath, which are also known as injection ports and implanted port catheters. These devices are designed to provide long-term access to the bloodstream for patients who need frequent injections or infusions of medications, fluids, or blood products. PowerPort and Port a Cath complications, including breakage and fractures, have led to the filing of personal injury lawsuits.
PowerPort and Port-a-Cath Complications
A significant percentage of patients who received the Bard PowerPort and other port-a-caths have experienced serious complications, such as:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Device breakage and failure
- Thrombosis
- Device migration
- Nerve damage
- Perforation of blood vessels or organs
- Sepsis and pulmonary embolism
These complications can result in pain, disability, additional surgeries, and even death. As a result, patients have filed personal injury lawsuits against Bard, alleging that the company failed to warn them of the risks and defects of the PowerPort device.
PowerPort and Port-a-Cath Lawsuits
A growing number of patients have reported serious complications associated with the PowerPort device, leading to a series of lawsuits filed against Bard and other medical device manufacturers.
The PowerPort lawsuits allege that Bard was aware of the potential risks and complications associated with the device but failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers.
The imported port lawsuits further allege that the device’s design is inherently flawed, contributing to these complications.
One of the first PowerPort lawsuits was filed in 2015 by a woman who developed a severe infection after receiving the device. She claimed that Bard knew or should have known that the PowerPort was prone to bacterial contamination and infection but did not adequately inform her or her doctors.
She also alleged that Bard was negligent in designing, manufacturing, testing, and marketing the device. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Since then, more than 100 lawsuits have been filed against Bard in various state and federal courts across the country.
The medical device manufacturers named as defendants in the implanted port lawsuits include: C.R. Bard Inc., Becton, Dickson & Co., and Bard Access Systems Inc.
Implanted Port Catheter MDL Petition
Recently, the plaintiffs in some federal cases filed a petition to consolidate the federal Bard PowerPort cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The proposed MDL is tentatively titled the In re Becton Dickinson & Co. Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation.
In a June 16, 2023, filing defendant C.R. Bard opposed the centralization of the implanted port device cases, arguing that informal coordination is preferred.
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (or JPML) will hold a hearing on July 27, 2023, to determine if the court will create an implanted port or PowerPort MDL and if so, where the cases will be sent for coordinated pre-trial proceedings. The JPML is a panel of federal judges that decides whether related civil lawsuits pending in different federal courts should be transferred to a single federal court for pretrial proceedings (an MDL).
PowerPort and Port-a-Cath Settlements
As mentioned above, plaintiffs in prior lawsuits have reached settlements with Bard individually or through mediation. The terms and amounts of these settlements are confidential and vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case.
Some factors that may affect the value of a PowerPort lawsuit include:
- The extent and severity of the injuries and complications caused by the device.
- The medical expenses and lost income incurred by the plaintiff.
- The pain and suffering endured by the plaintiff.
- The impact of the injuries and complications on the plaintiff’s quality of life.
- The degree of fault and liability of Bard.
- The availability and strength of evidence and witnesses.
- The jurisdiction and venue of the lawsuit.
If you or a loved one have suffered from complications related to the Bard PowerPort device, you may be entitled to compensation. You should consult with an experienced product liability attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options.
You may be able to join an MDL or file your own lawsuit against Bard. However, you should act quickly, as there are statutes of limitations that limit the time you have to file a claim.
To find out if you or a loved one qualify for a Bard PowerPort lawsuit, click on the button below or call us at 1-800-736-9085 for a free case and medical record review.