Nearly a hundred individuals from across the country have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of the Bard PowerPort™ due to serious health complications they claim were caused by the device. Read on to learn more about these implants, health problems that can occur when the devices break or migrate, and who is eligible to join the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit.
What are Bard PowerPorts™?
Bard PowerPorts™ are implantable ports that make it easier to give a person intravenous medication or fluids. They are one style of port manufactured by Bard Access Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD). The devices are made up of a catheter and a self-sealing injection port. They can be helpful for patients whose therapy requires frequent blood draws, transfusions, or IV treatments. For example, many chemotherapy patients have these ports implanted.
Unfortunately, some patients with defective Bard PowerPorts™ have experienced postoperative complications.
Bard PowerPorts™ and health issues
As previously mentioned, Bard PowerPort™ implants may fracture or migrate when defective. Bard PowerPort™ catheters are made of barium sulfate, which is meant to show up on X-rays. However, pressure put on the catheter when the device is being used can ultimately result in the barium sulfate particles damaging the device. These particles may cause the catheter to fracture, leak, or break. The damaged catheter can lead to bacteria colonization or infection and even blood clots. Over time, side effects that may also occur due to a damaged Bard PowerPort™ include:
- Heart arrhythmia
- Fever
- Sepsis
- Thromboembolism
- Inflammation
- Perforation of tissue, organs, or blood vessels
- Necrosis at port site
- Cardiac/pericardial tamponade
Research has also supported that defective PowerPorts can lead to issues for patients. A 2017 study found 6% of participants had to have their implants removed postoperatively due to infections or leaking catheters.
What is the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit?
According to the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit, defective devices have caused serious injury and even death among some users. These injuries include the catheter portions of the devices fracturing or migrating in the body, which can cause serious health issues, as explained above.
Dozens have joined the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the manufacturer was aware or should have been aware of the health risks caused by the Bard PowerPort™, but was negligent in making doctors and consumers aware of the risks.
Bard Access Systems, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and C.R. Bard have all been named in the lawsuit, which is being handled as multidistrict litigation.
Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit settlements
Individuals may wonder how large settlements will be from Bard Access Systems, Inc. and BD if they join the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit. Because this lawsuit is still in the early stages, this is unclear. In defective medical product lawsuits, lawyers may seek settlements for clients that consider:
- The client or family’s pain and suffering
- Reduced future income
- Past and present lost wages
- Costs of medication, therapy, treatment, etc.
Joining the Bard PowerPort™ lawsuit
If you or someone you know has experienced infection, blood clotting, cardiac arrhythmia, or other serious health issues due to a PowerPort™ migrating, fracturing, or leaking in the body 90 days or more after it was implanted, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit against Bard.
Since 1985, Woods and Woods has helped individuals with injuries and disabilities get the compensation they deserve. Fill out our form below or call us for a free case evaluation today.
Bard PowerPort™ Lawsuit
Do not stop using the Bard PowerPort™ without first talking to your doctor. Bard PowerPort™ is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company. The trademark is used here only for the purpose of identifying the product in question. Woods and Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with Bard Access Systems, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, or C.R. Bard.
