PowerPort Lawsuit

One cancer treatment method in the United States involves a device known as a catheter port. This is an implant beneath the skin connected directly to a vein. It is a faster, more effective treatment method where medication for cancer treatment can be directly administered without the need for needles.

However, C.R. Bard and their PowerPort have come under fire for allegedly knowing their devices were prone to fail, threatening cancer patients with serious complications. Lawsuits are now being filed to hold them accountable for their negligence.

If you experienced complications from your catheter port, you may qualify for legal aid. Contact the Guardian Legal Network today.

The Defendant C.R. Bard

C.R. Bard and their PowerPort products are at the center of the lawsuit. Bard allegedly knew their catheter ports were defective but failed to warn the public or medical professionals about the injuries their products could cause.

PowerPorts fail by fracturing and migrating throughout the body. A migrating catheter is incredibly dangerous as these ports are directly implanted in the chest and connect to a vein, and can easily lead to life-threatening injuries ranging from cardiovascular complications to death.

Known Injuries

There are several injuries associated with a failed catheter port:

Cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac perforations
Cardiac tamponade
Fracture
Infection
Hematoma
Myocardial infarction symptoms
Perforations of tissue, vessels, and organs
Pulmonary embolism
Thromboembolism

Both victims and medical staff were unaware of these potential dangers, meaning they are not at fault for these devices failing and hold no responsibility for resulting complications. The victim’s medical staff did everything they could to keep their patient safe. The manufacturer of the defective PowerPorts, C.R. Bard, is the defendant.

If a victim were to take legal action, they would file a claim against C.R. Bard, not their doctor or hospital.

Possible Settlements

No settlements have been made revolving around PowerPort. However, C.R. Bard has a history of lawsuits and settlements that can give an idea of what the future litigation has in store for victims seeking justice.

July 6, 2011 – C.R. Bard agrees to pay $184 million to settle lawsuits around the company’s Composix Kugel Hernia Mesh after it was reported to fail and break apart within victims.
May 13, 2013 – C.R. Bard must pay the United States $48.26 million for submitting false claims to the Medicare program in direct violation of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute. These claims involve the company selling hospitals brachytherapy seeds, a radiation therapy meant to treat prostate cancer.
September 24, 2020 – 48 states and the District of Columbia require Bard to pay $60 million to resolve allegations they deceptively marketed their transvaginal mesh devices to patients, neglecting to mention the complications their products could cause.
August 29, 2022 – A Rhode Island jury rules in favor of a Hawaiian man who suffered complications from C.R. Bard’s hernia mesh. The company must pay $4.8 million for the damages.

The company’s history of negligence and shady practices may give litigators a good precedent to pursue large sums in the future. Victims coming forward and holding C.R. Bard accountable for their negligence will make these settlements a possibility.

What GLN Can Do For You

The Guardian Legal Network can connect qualifying claimants to expert legal counsel knowledgeable in their case type with a no-cost review. They will walk you through the litigation process, and you won’t need to pay unless you win.

If you experienced complications from your catheter port, you may qualify for legal aid.

Call us or complete our no-cost contact form today.

References

“Attorney General Becerra Announces $60 Million Multistate Settlement with Medical Technology Company, C.R. Bard, Inc..” Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General, September 24, 2020. https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-60-million-multistate-settlement-medical.
“C.R. Bard Inc. to Pay U.S. $48.26 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Claims.” Office of Public Affairs, May 13, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/cr-bard-inc-pay-us-4826-million-resolve-false-claims-act-claims.
“Davol Lawsuits to Largely End with C.R. Bard $184 Million Settlement.” BioSpace, July 6, 2011. https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/-b-davol-b-lawsuits-to-largely-end-with-c-r-bard-184-million-settlement-/.
Pierson, Brendan. “R.I. Jury Orders Becton Dickinson to Pay $4.8 Mln in Hernia Mesh Trial.” Reuters, August 29, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/ri-jury-orders-becton-dickinson-pay-48-mln-hernia-mesh-trial-2022-08-29/.

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