The man, Richard S., was implanted with a Cook Celect® Vena Cava Filter at Physicians and Surgeons Center of Pocatello, Idaho, in July 2014.
He accuses Cook Medical of negligence for selling a defective medical device and failing to warn about serious risks.
Blood clot filers are implanted in the inferior vena cava (IVC), a major blood vessel that carries oxygen-depleted blood from the lower half of the body to the lungs. IVC filters catch blood clots before they travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
In recent years, a number of studies have linked the Celect with high rates of complications. The FDA advises removing IVC filters within 29-54 days, or as soon as possible, because risks increase with time.
In one study, all 27 patients who were implanted with the Celect had some degree of vena cava perforation within 71 days. In another study, the Celect was linked to a 43% risk of vena cava perforation within two months.
The lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis Division) — Case No. 1:16-cv-02665.
The case will be consolidated with over 900 other IVC lawsuits pending against Cook Medical in Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2570) — In Re: Cook Medical Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation.
The plaintiff is represented by Ben C. Martin and Thomas Wm. Arbon of the Law Offices of Ben C. Martin in Dallas, Texas.
Editor’s note: For more information about IVC Filter lawsuits and your legal rights, please contact The Law Offices of Ben C. Martin.