Bard PowerPort Injuries: Everything You Need to Know

The Bard PowerPort device administers medicine directly into your bloodstream intravenously. For those who need it, it can be an invaluable part of their health regimen. When it works properly, the PowerPort’s valve opens and closes depending on the body’s internal pressure. Medicine or fluids can then be administered through a small catheter tube positioned in a major vein.

Unfortunately, Bard, the manufacturer of the PowerPort, has recently had legal issues regarding their product. Many patients who use this product have complained of various health complications, usually involving the material of the catheter cracking. This crack can cause the tube to fracture or even migrate to different parts of the body. 

The Dangers of the Bard PowerPort Catheter

The material used to construct the PowerPort catheter tube is Chronoflex, a polyurethane polymer. This material tends to crack and fracture due to degradation, which can lead to serious medical complications. These complications vary across a wide range of health problems, but a fractured tube generally increases the risk of blood clots.

The dangers of the PowerPort extend beyond mild to moderate pain, unfortunately. Some conditions caused by the catheter tube’s degradation are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Complications from the PowerPort tend to fall into a few categories. 

Infection

When the PowerPort catheter tube degrades or migrates, it leaves the patient’s bloodstream open to foreign bodies. This can lead to infection or even sepsis and expensive medical bills.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) describes a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the leg or pelvis. It can also occur in the arm. Those places are especially at-risk of PowerPort complications because they are where the device is implanted. If the tube migrates or degrades, it causes a blockage in the vein, which can lead to this serious medical condition. 

Vascular Damage

As the PowerPort catheter tube degrades, it increases the risk of vein perforation. The degraded tube can also cause perforation in other tissues, damaging surrounding blood vessels and requiring immediate medical attention. 

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured

If you notice health issues after being implanted with a Bard PowerPort device, contact your doctor or other medical professional right away. These complications can range from mild to severe or life-threatening, so you do not want to wait too long to report them. The more the catheter tube degrades, migrates, or damages your veins, the worse your symptoms and condition will get.

Once you have received the necessary, immediate care for your health complications, consider seeking legal help. If your doctor confirms that your PowerPort device caused your health problems, you may be eligible for compensation. Contacting a personal injury attorney can be the first step in your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your PowerPort Injury

Once you have confirmation that your PowerPort device may be partially or wholly responsible for your health complications, you can file a suit against its manufacturer, Bard. The manufacturer in this case is liable for damages caused by their product.

The reason liability is so evident in this case is that Bard received numerous Adverse Event Reports (AERs) from doctors and other medical professionals explaining that the tube fractured post-implantation. 

Despite these reports, Bard failed to warn their potential patients of the dangers of the Chronoflex material’s tendency to fracture or degrade. The manufacturer also failed to invest in using a different material for the tubing, even after being made aware of the dangers. 

Because patients are not made aware of the potential dangers or risks of the Bard PowerPort device or catheter tube, they are unable to make informed medical decisions. This leaves the liability squarely with the manufacturer’s refusal to act on the reports they received. 

Lawsuits Against Bard PowerPort

Many lawsuits have been brought against Bard for their failure to warn patients about the risks of their product. Although there is no class action lawsuit against the manufacturer, a hearing is set for consolidating the cases into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) by the end of July 2023. 

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

Are You Eligible for Compensation?

If you suspect you have been injured by a PowerPort device, you may want to contact an attorney. Cases that are accepted must meet the following criteria:

• You must have been implanted with a PowerPort injection device from a name-brand company.

• • Bard has 70% of the market on this device, so it is the most common, but other accepted brands are from AngioDynamics and Smiths Medical.

• You must be diagnosed with a viable injury.

• • These injuries include: 
    • Port fractures, dislodgement, and complications from blood clots.
    • Post-implant arrhythmias can also occur 90 days after the implant, causing irregular heartbeats.
    • Port infections may also occur 90 days after the implantation process

If you believe you meet these criteria, reach out to legal representation and see if you qualify. 

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

Injured by a Bard PowerPort Device? Van Law Firm Attorneys Can Help!

If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of a Bard PowerPort device’s degrading catheter tube, contact Van Law Firm. Our experienced legal team will fight for you to get the highest settlement possible. You deserve compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering you have experienced due to this faulty device. 

Contact Van Law Firm today, and we will get you started with your free consultation. You deserve justice in your case. Call us today!