In the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Rita F. Redberg calls for a stop of the use of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters, due to the risks of the product far outweighing the benefits. Redberg, a JAMA editor, bases her call for a moratorium on a steady stream of medical studies, all of which highlight the lack of evidence demonstrating IVC filters as effective.
Studies reveal the failed devices result in severe injuries and deaths. Despite the number of lawsuits constantly on the rise, in addition to constant pressure from judges who are pressing IVC companies into settlement negotiations, these attempts have been unsuccessful. However, judges are demanding settlement talks well before any scheduled trials, an unusual protocol.
IVC filters are meant to capture blood clots before they can cause a pulmonary embolism, but the defective filter designs causes fractured arms and struts to break off from the IVC and pierce organs. As a result, these filters are never retrieved. In many cases, IVC filters are being inappropriately implanted in patients who are already on anticoagulant medicine and have no need for the filter.
The FDA has also classified IVC filters as a Class II medical device, which means they require greater reassurance of safety and effectiveness. Class II is also same classification as mercury thermometers. Overall, IVC filters have proven to be a high safety risk with low reward–and our medical malpractice lawyers have taken sincere notice.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
If you have suffered from medical malpractice at the hands of an IVC filter, you are not alone, and we want to help. At Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, we are comprised of dedicated, relentless, and determined medical malpractice attorneys who will stop at nothing to ensure justice is served. Our priority is to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, loss of wages or work, as well as your pain and suffering.
Contact us today to speak to a medical malpractice attorney you can trust. Call us at (212) 684-1880.
Edward A. Ruffo, Partner
Mr. Ruffo currently litigates cases at the state and federal levels in New York and New Jersey and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar medical damage awards for his clients. He has been annually ranked as a Top 10 and Top 100 Trial Lawyer by numerous professional societies including The National Trial Lawyers Association.
