Clarksburg IVC Filter Lawyer
For patients at risk of pulmonary blood clots, an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter could be a life-saver. These filters are placed in a major blood vessel and designed to prevent blood clots from travelling from the legs to the heart. At the same time, blood should be able to flow around the filter.
Although these devices may have prevented pulmonary embolism in many patients, they caused severe problems or even death for others. If you were harmed by IVC filter complications, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages by hiring a well-versed Clarksburg IVC filter lawyer. An experienced attorney could explain your legal options and fight to hold the at-fault medical device manufacturer accountable.
IVC Filter Complications
IVC filters are offered by several different manufacturers, and some are linked to serious complications, including:
- Filter fracturing
- Perforation of the vessel walls
- Embolization of filter pieces
- Difficulty removing the filter
- Migration (movement of the filter)
- Puncture of vital organs
If a piece of the filter breaks off, or fractures, the small metal pieces can travel through the bloodstream to various areas of the body. If they become lodged in an organ, serious problems could result.
These complications were so severe that in 2010, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommended that patients who were healthy enough to have their filters removed should do so. IVF filters can also lead to:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Cardiac tamponade
- Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion
- Air embolisms
- Infections
- Blood clots clogging the IVC
Who is Liable for Damages?
A Clarksburg IVC filter attorney could file suit on behalf of the victim on the basis that the device manufacturer knew about the potential risks yet continued to sell the filters. It is important to note that the lawsuit is filed against the IVC manufacturer and not the plaintiff’s doctor.
Potential Compensable Damages from an IVC
The goal of an IVC filter lawyer in Clarksburg is to recover compensation on behalf of the victim for the damages they have suffered. Damages can include all the losses the victim endured as a result of the IVC filter. Economic damages can include medical bills and lost wages. Victims may also be eligible for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, or loss of consortium.
Economic damages are fairly straightforward to calculate, whereas non-economic damages are often more difficult to quantify. Their worth will be determined in settlement negotiations between attorneys for the plaintiff defendant or by a jury, if the case goes to trial.
Seek Help from a Clarksburg IVC Filter Attorney
IVC filter manufacturers need to be held accountable for their actions. If you suffer from IVC filter complications, now is the time to contact a law firm and discuss your situation. Your ability to take legal action is subject to deadlines, and vital evidence in your case could be lost over time. To preserve your legal rights and options, contact a Clarksburg IVC filter lawyer today for a case evaluation.