Bard Access Systems Concealed Defects With PowerPorts for Years

Bard Access Systems Concealed Defects With PowerPorts for Years

Bard Access Systems is facing considerable scrutiny from the medical community and patients for neglecting to warn users about the flawed design of their Bard PowerPort catheter devices. As it turns out, Bard Access Systems and its parent company Becton, Dickinson & Company have been receiving reports that the polyurethane catheter tubing of their implants could deteriorate, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other catastrophic injuries.

At Dolman Law Group, our defective medical device attorneys are working closely with patients who have been injured by faulty Bard PortPowers to recover fair compensation for their damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you believe that you may qualify to join the Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our team by giving us a call at (866) 458-3265 or filling out our online contact form.

Why Should I Choose Dolman Law Group to Represent Me? 

If you are considering pursuing a Bard PowerPort lawsuit, having our award-winning team at Dolman Law Group represent your interests can be a significant advantage. We can offer the level of individualized attention that smaller firms provide, along with substantial resources. Our unwavering dedication to client satisfaction is reflected in the impressive settlements we secure for our injured clients. 

Given that the Bard PowerPort lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), our experience with other mass tort claims will undoubtedly be an asset. You can trust the product liability lawyers of Dolman Law Group to advocate tirelessly for maximum compensation for your Bard PowerPort claim so that you can focus on taking care of your health.

FDA Designation Allowed Bard to Circumvent Reporting Requirements

Bard PowerPort devices have been on the market for about 20 years, so it comes as a surprise to many patients that the issues with the catheter tubing were not made known to the public until recently. The explanation is that Bard Access Systems and Becton, Dickinson & Co. were well aware that their product was defective, but they had acquired a special status with the FDA that kept their reports of the issue confidential.

The FDA grants clearance to medical device companies to market certain products that are similar to existing devices before they have been completely vetted. The assumption is that a new product that is comparable to an older device with FDA approval should be safe. This clearance was granted under the FDA’s §510(k) provision. Another perk of this clearance is that Bard Access Systems did not have to abide by the same strict reporting requirements for the PowerPort implant.

Bard Refuses to Take Responsibility After FDA Reveals Years of Defect Reports with PowerPort Devices

Without this exemption, Bard Access Systems likely would have been compelled to file the adverse event reports they received from medical providers under the FDA’s typical system, which would have made the reports more accessible. Bard Access Systems’ knowledge of the defect was exposed when the FDA released millions of previously sealed adverse event reports to the public.

To deflect blame, Bard Access Systems tried to push the narrative that improper surgical implantation was responsible for any damage to the catheter tubing. The company has yet to correct the defect, recall the PowerPorts, or acknowledge the harm they have inflicted. In effect, Bard Access Systems was allowed to market its dangerous product for decades despite early and repeated warnings from healthcare providers, with patients being none the wiser.

Patients Experienced Life-Threatening Blood Clots and Infections From Defective Bard PowerPort Devices

Patients who need to receive intravenous medication frequently, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, may be surgically implanted with a Bard PowerPort to make administering their medication, or fluids and drawing blood samples easier. The PowerPort has a polyurethane catheter tube that is placed in a blood vessel to deliver the content of the injection. The flawed design of this tube makes it more prone to fracturing, developing pits, degrading, and even moving. 

Bard PowerPort makers used too much Barium Sulfate in the mixture of tubing composite materials, which prevented it from mixing properly with the polyurethane. The result was a catheter tube that was too rigid, causing it to crack more easily. When pieces of the polyurethane catheter tubing break off or the port migrates, it can disrupt blood flow and lead to a clot. From there, a blood clot can travel and block the blood supply to major organs, like the brain, lungs, and heart. This can result in permanent damage or even death. 

Another risk is infection, particularly if the surface of the tubing becomes chipped, giving dangerous bacteria the space to grow. Injuries like these are already serious in a healthy person, but most people using Bard PowerPorts are already dealing with serious health conditions. Some of the most commonly reported injuries from faulty Bard PowerPorts include:

• Infections
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Vascular Damage 
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Cardiac Punctures
• Cardiac or Pericardial tamponade
• Organ Damage
• Heart attack or myocardial infarction
• Hematoma or hemorrhage
• Hemothorax 
• Pneumothorax 
• Hematomas
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pulmonary pseudoaneurysm
• Stroke
• Tachycardia

Seeking Compensation for Damages in a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit

The FDA clearance may have shielded Bard Access Systems from legal repercussions until now, but plaintiffs are now filing personal injury lawsuits as a part of the Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation to recover compensation for their damages. Dozens of personal injury attorneys are currently seeking leadership roles as the MDL progresses under the jurisdiction of Judge David G. Campbell in the District of Arizona. 

If you or a loved one have been implanted with a Bard PowerPort catheter device and have suffered from any of the aforementioned medical conditions then consider contacting Dolman Law Group about filing a Bard PowerPort lawsuit.

Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Bard PowerPort Lawsuit

Bard Access Systems and its parent company have profited from defective port catheter implants for more than two decades despite being aware that their product had a critical design flaw that rendered it dangerous to consumers. Meanwhile, sick patients have been left vulnerable to devastating injuries. At Dolman Law Group, we find this morally unacceptable and legally actionable.

Patients with Bard PowerPort catheter devices may be entitled to recover compensation for losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress in a product liability lawsuit. The defective medical device lawyers of Dolman Law Group have the negotiating skills, years of experience, and expertise in product liability law to effectively represent you in a Bard PowerPort lawsuit.

Our team can evaluate your case to determine if it should be filed under the Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation and help you secure a fair settlement for these damages. Schedule a free consultation with our team by giving us a call at (866) 458-3265 or filling out our online contact form to discuss your Bard PowerPort lawsuit with one of our defective medical device lawyers.