Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog
Bard PowerPort Injury lawsuits are being filed against Bard claiming that the implantable intravenous devices have serious design defects that cause the ports to break apart and migrate, leading to catastrophic life-threatening injuries. The FDA approved the first Bard PowerPort device in 2000.
Bard PowerPort Injury is linked to dangerous side effects including blood clots, fractures and bleeding. Injured? Call Dr. Shezad Malik at 214-390-3189
A woman in Chicago recently filed a Bard PowerPort Injury lawsuit. The woman had a PowerPort implanted in her neck for breast cancer chemotherapy. In just nine short months, the PowerPort fragmented, and device pieces traveled to her heart and veins. She had to undergo several painful surgeries to remove the fragments from her heart and other areas. Her lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Federal Court, Northern District of Chicago.
What is the Bard PowerPort device?
The Bard PowerPort is a group of port catheter devices that are implanted under the skin, so an intravenous tube known as a catheter can inject medication into the bloodstream.
The Bard PowerPort is a specific brand and type of implantable port device, which is commonly used in medical treatments requiring frequent access to the venous system for the delivery of medications, chemotherapy, blood products, and for the taking of blood samples. The Bard PowerPort is manufactured by C.R. Bard, Inc. (now part of Becton, Dickinson and Company).
These ports are small devices that are implanted under the skin, typically in the upper chest area. The PowerPort devices are used in patients who require long-term intravenous treatments, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, long-term antibiotic therapy, or intravenous feeding.
Many patients are now reporting severe injuries and are filing lawsuits claiming that Bard PowerPort injury could have been avoided if Bard had adequately disclosed the risks linked with the devices.
Complications seen with the Bard PowerPort Injuries
Examples of Bard PowerPort injury include:
Catheter Fracture: If the catheter breaks, fragments of the catheter may travel throughout the body in the venous system and cause internal damage. Surgery maybe required to remove pieces of the catheter.
Catheter Migration: If part of the catheter becomes dislodged, it may lead to catheter failure, blockage, blood clots or other injuries.
Infections: Over time, the catheter may begin to degrade. Small cracks that form on the device can allow bacteria and other pathogens to enter the body.
Some patients who were implanted with the PowerPort developed the following complications:
Severe Infections
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Hemorrhaging or Bleeding Injuries
Cardiac/pericardial tamponade
Perforations of blood vessels and organs
Patient death
To determine if you or a loved one may have a case, submit information for review by a port catheter injury lawyer, who will help evaluate the circumstances and determine if it can be established that injuries were caused by a Bard PowerPort failure.
Bard PowerPort Models under review
Several Bard catheter ports have been named in lawsuits, including:
PowerPort ClearVUE Implantable Port
PowerPort ClearVUE ISP Implantable Port
PowerPort ClearVUE Slim Implantable Port
PowerPort isp M.R.I.Implantable Port
PowerPort M.R.I. Implantable Port
Bard PowerPort Federal Lawsuits
The JPML issued an order on August 8, 2023, transferring all Bard Port lawsuits to the U.S. District for the District of Arizona, where the claims will be assigned to Judge David G. Campbell for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings.
As of February 2024 there are 99 Bard PowerPort lawsuits filed in the MDL.
Each of the Bard PowerPort lawsuits will be individual-based. Judge David G. Campbell, oversaw the Bard IVC filter lawsuit MDL, which was established in August 2015 and included more than 8,000 claims.
What is the cause of Bard PowerPort Failure?
The plaintiffs allege that the Bard PowerPort catheter tubes are made of a defective material that is prone to fissuring, cracking and fracturing. The catheter tubing is made of a flexible polyurethane polymer called Chronoflex, which is a mixture of polyurethane and barium sulfate.
According to experts, the Bard PowerPort has high concentrations of barium sulfate, causing polyurethane’s mechanical integrity to break, resulting in microfractures, tube breakdown, fissuring, and cracking.
It is claimed that improper mixing during the manufacturing process can result in pockets of barium sulfate and entrapped air being distributed through the catheter body and surfaces. Surface degradation of the tubes may also increase the risk of thromboembolism or blood clots.
Also, new allegations are being made highlighting the defects in the port reservoir, especially the use of polyoxymethylene in the plastic components of the reservoir. The plaintiffs argue that this material is known for oxidative degradation, and reduces mechanical properties, making the device susceptible to fracturing and bacterial colonization, leading to infections.
Studies Highlight PowerPort Blood Clot and Fracture Risks
According to one study published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research found that barium sulfate particles do not blend well with polymer catheters. The authors stated this failure to integrate can lead to the development of rough spots on the catheter surface, which can lead to blood clots.
Bard PowerPort Injury Were Known for Years
In many Bard PowerPort Injury lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that Bard knew PowerPort catheter fractures, migrations, and infections were being reported at higher rates than other similar products on the market, yet failed to act for years.
Bard Access Systems Inc., C.R. Bard, Inc. and Becton Dickson & Company are now exposed to lawsuits noting that inadequate warnings were provided about the PowerPort problems for the doctors and the companies failed to perform adequate post-marketing surveillance to identify reports of injury and death.
The plaintiffs are adamant that severe and catastrophic injuries could have been avoided if a safer alternative design had been used. Medical researchers suggested that a polyurethane coating could help prevent these problems and protect patients from injuries.
According to the plaintiffs rather than making these changes, the manufacturers hid their knowledge about issues with the Bard catheters and continued to actively advertise the PowerPort device as safe.
Injured by Bard Power Port device? Contact Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm
If you or a loved one was implanted with a Bard PowerPort device and have suffered Bard PowerPort injury including serious infection, blood vessel injuries, blood clots or embolism problems including organ perforation, contact the attorneys at Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm to learn more about your legal rights. You can speak with one of our representatives by calling 214-390-3189, or by filling out the case evaluation form on this page.
Our law firm’s principal office is in Dallas and we have offices in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr Shezad Malik Law Firm represents clients in dangerous drug and dangerous medical device lawsuits nationwide.