The lawsuit was filed against Cordis Corporation, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and Confluent Medical Technologies Inc.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for injuries and wrongful deaths caused by the TrapEase® Permanent Vena Cava Filter and OptEase® Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter (“IVC Filter”).
Plaintiff William G., a man from Georgia, was implanted with the OptEase IVC Filter on January 30, 2007. The filter caused a vein perforation, embedded in the wall of his vein, developed a thrombus (blood clot) within the filter, and resulted in a failed retrieval attempt.
Plaintiff Daryl H., a man from Tennessee, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on January 28, 2005. The filter malfunctioned, migrated and required surgery, fractured, and resulted in a life-threatening post-implant pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).
Plaintiff Heather L., a woman from Ohio who moved to West Virginia, was implanted with a Cordis IVC Filter on August 17, 2004. The filter fractured and was unable to be retrieved.
Plaintiff Joseph B., a man from South Carolina, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on July 24, 2008. The filter malfunctioned and caused venous thrombosis (blood clots) in and above the filter, venous insufficiency, lower leg swelling, and failed removal attempt.
Plaintiff Carolyn D., a woman from Maryland, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on May 12, 2011. The filter malfunctioned and caused multiple unsuccessful retrieval attempts due to embedment in the wall of the vein. As a result, the IVC Filter cannot be retrieved.
Plaintiff Luella R., a woman from Michigan, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on July 13, 2010. The filter malfunctioned and caused thrombosis (blood clots) in the vein, tilt of the filter, fracture, and removal of the filter with 2 struts left embedded in the vein wall.
Plaintiff Keila A., a woman from Florida, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on March 21, 2006. The filter malfunctioned and caused thrombosis (blood clots) of the veins in her kidneys, recurrent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the lower legs, and chronically obstructed IVC Filter, requiring angioplasty and stent placement, resulting in the IVC Filter becoming crushed and compressed.
Plaintiff James F., a man from Texas, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on December 5, 2005. The filter malfunctioned and became obstructed, causing a pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs). His wife, Peggy F., has joined the lawsuit for loss of consortium.
Plaintiff Timothy S., a man from Florida, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on April 14, 2009. The filter malfunctioned and caused extensive blood clots inside the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, requiring thromboectomy and stenting of the veins.
Plaintiff Tammy H., a woman from Tennessee, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on April 22, 2008. The filter malfunctioned and tilted, causing her to suffer life-threatening injuries and medical care.
Plaintiff Stephen D., a man from Florida, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on November 17, 2008. The filter caused extensive thrombus (blood clots) and life-threatening injuries.
Plaintiff Gerard C., a man from New York, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on December 9, 2011. The filter malfunctioned and caused acute venous embolism, thrombosis of the deep vessels, venous insufficiency, and other life-threatening injuries.
Plaintiff Marilyn G., a woman from Ohio, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on February 23, 2010. The filter malfunctioned and caused serious injuries, such as occlusion and stenosis of the filter, edema in her lower right leg, impairment of venous collateral, impaired venous return to the heart, and impaired cardiac function.
Plaintiff Neil K., a man from Kentucky, was implanted with a TrapEase IVC Filter on August 4, 2010. The filter malfunctioned and was too dangerous to remove. As a result, the IVC Filter must stay implanted, risking further malfunction and surgery for the rest of his life.
Plaintiff Kathleen M., a woman from Louisiana, was implanted with the TrapEase IVC Filter on September 30, 2011. The filter malfunctioned and tilted, causing a perforation through the wall of her inferior vena cava and her intestines.
Plaintiff Dexter C., a man from Nevada, was implanted with an OptEase IVC Filter on June 28, 2006. The filter malfunctioned and tilted, causing life-threatening injuries that required extensive medical care. He will continue to suffer significant medical expenses and pain. His wife, Bridget C., has joined the lawsuit for loss of consortium.
All of the plaintiffs are seeking compensation for life-threatening injuries that required extensive medical care and treatment. They still suffer significant medical expenses and long-term health risks.
The lawsuit also cites studies linking the Cordis IVC Filters with high rates of fracture and other life-threatening injuries, such as:
OptEase filters and the TrapEase filters suffer fracture rates of 37.5% and 23.1% respectively, when left implanted a minimum of 46 months. Another recent study found that the TrapEase filter had a 64% fracture rate when left in more than four years.”
Cordis Corporation and Johnson & Johnson are accused of failing to warn about these serious safety risks, and more.
The lawsuit was filed on March 6, 2018 in the Superior Court of the State of California (Alameda County) — Case No. RG18894069.
There are now over 7,000 IVC filter lawsuits against Cordis Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, C.R. Bard, Cook Medical, B. Braun, Rex Medical, and other manufacturers in state and federal courts.
The plaintiff is represented by Ben C. Martin of The Law Offices of Ben C. Martin in Dallas, Texas.
Ben C. Martin is a trial attorney who serves as the plaintiffs’ co-lead counsel in the Cook IVC Filter MDL and on the plaintiffs’ steering committee of the Bard IVC Filter MDL.
Editor’s note: For more information about IVC Filter lawsuits and your legal rights, please contact The Law Offices of Ben C. Martin.