Nearly a hundred individuals from across the country have filed lawsuits against manufacturers of chemo ports, or port-a-caths, due to serious health complications they claim were caused by their devices. 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 chemo port lawsuit.
What are chemo ports?
Chemo ports are implantable ports that make it easier to give a person intravenous medication or fluids.
Catha-a-port devices are typically 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. Many chemotherapy patients have these ports implanted.
There are several manufacturers of chemo ports, including Bard Access Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD) and Angiodynamics Inc., who have both been named in chemo port lawsuits.
Unfortunately, some patients with defective chemo ports have experienced postoperative complications.
Chemo ports and health issues
As previously mentioned, central venous chemo ports may fracture or migrate when defective.
Chemo ports may 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 chemo port may 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 central venous chemo ports 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 chemo port lawsuit?
According to the chemo port 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 chemo port lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges manufacturers were aware or should have been aware of the health risks caused by chemo port devices, but were negligent in making doctors and consumers aware of the risks.
Bard Access Systems, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and AngioDynamics Inc. have all been named in chemo port lawsuits, which are being handled as multidistrict litigation. However, lawyers handling the chemo port lawsuit are looking to speak with users of any brand and style of chemo port if the device fracturing or migrating caused serious health issues.
Chemo port lawsuit settlements
Individuals may wonder how large settlements will be from the manufacturers if they join the chemo port 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.
Chemo Port Lawsuit
Do not stop using any chemo port without first talking to your doctor. Any trademark is used here only for the purpose of identifying the product in question. Woods & Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with Bard Access Systems, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, or AngioDynamics Inc.
