Start ClaimFighting for California’s Bard PowerPort Victims
Bard PowerPort devices were supposed to make medical treatments easier, not more dangerous. Yet across California, patients are suffering serious complications from these implantable ports. These small devices, placed under the skin to provide easy access for medications and blood draws, have been linked to life-threatening issues including catheter breakage, blood clots, and severe infections.
At Jurewitz Law Group, our experienced San Diego Bard PowerPort lawyers understand the physical and financial toll these device failures can take. For years, we’ve stood alongside San Diego residents and families throughout California harmed by negligent medical device manufacturers.
The mounting evidence suggests Bard may have known about potential design flaws yet continued marketing these devices as safe. Many patients required additional surgeries, extended hospitalizations, and ongoing treatment due to these failures.
If you or a loved one experienced complications from a Bard PowerPort, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Don’t wait to learn if you qualify to join the growing litigation against Bard.
Understanding Bard PowerPort Devices
Bard PowerPort devices are implantable vascular access systems used in patients needing frequent intravenous treatments. The system consists of a small port implanted under the skin with a catheter connecting to a major vein, allowing easy bloodstream access without repeated needle sticks.
Despite their intended benefits, Bard PowerPorts have been associated with serious complications. The FDA has received thousands of adverse event reports, with problems ranging from painful to potentially fatal. Common issues include catheter fracture, where pieces break off and travel through the bloodstream, potentially causing embolism. Device migration can lead to tissue damage, while serious infections sometimes result in life-threatening sepsis.
Research published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology found certain Bard PowerPort models had significantly higher failure rates compared to alternative devices. Internal documents uncovered during litigation suggest Bard may have been aware of design flaws but failed to adequately address them.
For California patients with these devices, the consequences have included emergency surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, and ongoing medical monitoring for complications.
Serious Complications Linked to Bard PowerPort Devices
Patients across California are reporting severe health issues after receiving Bard PowerPort implants. These complications often require additional surgeries, extended hospital stays, and ongoing medical treatment. As lawsuits mount nationwide, evidence suggests the manufacturer failed to properly warn patients and doctors about these significant risks. The following are the most common and serious complications reported by PowerPort recipients.
PowerPort catheters can fracture inside the body, sending fragments through the bloodstream. These fragments may cause serious complications including pulmonary embolism, cardiac damage, or stroke, often requiring emergency surgery to retrieve the broken pieces.
Many PowerPort patients develop life-threatening blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis. These clots can block critical blood vessels, causing severe pain, tissue damage, and potentially fatal conditions if they travel to the lungs, heart, or brain.
PowerPort devices create an entry point for bacteria into the bloodstream. Patients have reported serious infections at the implant site that can spread throughout the body, leading to sepsis, which is a potentially fatal systemic infection requiring intensive treatment.
PowerPorts can shift from their original placement, causing pain, tissue damage, and vascular injury. Migration often renders the device unusable and may require surgical removal and replacement, subjecting patients to additional risks and recovery time.
The PowerPort catheter can damage blood vessel walls, causing inflammation, narrowing, or collapse of veins. This damage may lead to chronic pain, swelling, and circulation problems that persist even after device removal.
Patients suffering these complications are now holding Bard accountable through legal action. Many allege the company knew about design flaws but prioritized profits over patient safety. California victims deserve compensation for the additional medical care, pain, and suffering caused by these defective devices.
Legal Grounds for Bard PowerPort Lawsuits
California patients harmed by Bard PowerPort devices have strong legal paths to compensation. These cases generally fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers responsible for injuries caused by defective products. The Jurewitz Law Group’s Bard PowerPort attorneys are helping victims navigate these complex legal frameworks to secure fair compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.
Evidence suggests Bard PowerPorts contain fundamental design flaws making them prone to fracture and migration. Under product liability law, manufacturers must design reasonably safe products. The high failure rate compared to similar devices indicates inherent design problems.
Bard faces allegations they knew about risks associated with PowerPort devices but failed to adequately warn physicians and patients. Manufacturers have a legal duty to disclose known risks, even after their products receive FDA clearance.
Some PowerPort complications stem from manufacturing inconsistencies that compromised device integrity. Production variations in materials or assembly methods may have created weaknesses in certain batches, increasing their likelihood of failure after implantation.
By allegedly disregarding safety signals and continuing to market PowerPorts despite mounting evidence of problems, Bard may have breached their duty of care to patients. This negligence forms a core legal argument in these cases.
These legal claims aim to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by defective PowerPort devices. Our California Bard PowerPort lawyers work to hold manufacturers accountable while helping victims rebuild their lives after suffering preventable injuries.
Who Qualifies for a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit?
If you’ve experienced complications from a Bard PowerPort, you may qualify for compensation. Eligibility typically requires:
- Confirmed Implantation: You must have received a Bard PowerPort implantable port catheter, verifiable through medical records.
- Device-Related Injury: You must have suffered at least one of these complications:
- Catheter failure (migration, fracture, or malfunction)
- Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis
- Serious infections at the implant site or bloodstream
- Vascular damage from the device
- Additional surgeries to address device complications
- Provable Connection: Your injuries must be directly linked to a defect in the PowerPort device, established through medical documentation.
- Timely Filing: California’s statute of limitations generally allows two years from injury discovery to file a claim, though exceptions may apply.
Don’t assume your complications are just “normal risks” of having a medical device. Many patients were never fully informed about the specific dangers of Bard PowerPorts.
Our San Diego Bard PowerPort attorneys at Jurewitz Law Group have helped many determine their eligibility. We understand the technical details of these cases and can quickly assess whether your experience qualifies for legal action.
Steps to Take if You've Been Harmed by a Bard PowerPort
If you believe your Bard PowerPort has caused complications, acting quickly protects both your health and legal rights. Many California patients have already come forward, and you could be entitled to significant compensation. Here’s how to start the process of seeking justice for the harm you’ve experienced.
Seek immediate medical attention for any symptoms that might be related to your PowerPort. Document all treatments, medications, and doctor recommendations. A clear medical record linking your symptoms to the device strengthens your potential legal claim.
Keep all medical records, imaging results, and correspondence with healthcare providers. If your device was removed, ask your doctor to preserve it as evidence. These materials will be crucial in establishing the connection between your injuries and the device.
With a valid claim, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. If your condition is ongoing, you might also qualify for coverage of long-term treatment related to your PowerPort complications.
California law limits the time to file device injury claims. Waiting too long could forfeit your right to compensation. Our instant case evaluation can quickly determine if you qualify while preserving your legal options.
Get the Justice You Deserve
If a Bard PowerPort has caused you harm, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Jurewitz Law Group’s experienced San Diego Bard PowerPort lawyers have helped countless victims secure the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Our team understands the complex medical and legal issues in these cases and will fight tirelessly for you.
Time may be running out to file your claim. Take our quick online evaluation today to determine if you qualify to join the growing litigation against Bard. Your path to justice starts with one simple step.