TIVAD Injury Lawsuits
Patients undergoing chemotherapy or other long-term medical treatment that involves regular delivery of intravenous fluids and medication may need a Totally Implantable Vascular Access Device (TIVAD), also known as a port catheter or a port-a-cath.
While port catheters are supposed to be safer for these patients than other options, like IV catheters, some patients are experiencing dangerous and even life-threatening complications.
This is due to some brands of TIVAD breaking apart inside patients’ bodies.
The product injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel have dealt with similar situations revolving around dangerously defective medical products, and we know how to pin down negligent manufacturers to hold them liable.
If you or someone you love is experiencing complications from a defective port catheter, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and added pain and suffering. Let us help you get it.
What is a TIVAD and What is Going Wrong with Them?
A TIVAD consists of two main parts: the catheter and the port. The catheter is a small flexible tube that is inserted into a large vein, and attaches to a port that is implanted just underneath the skin, usually in the upper chest. The port is about the size of a quarter and may be visible as a raised shape under the skin. Medication can be injected or blood can be drawn from the vein through the port.
These implanted ports are meant to reduce the risk of damaging the vein through repeated needle sticks. They are also considered less painful, more sanitary, and more convenient for both patients and doctors, since they can be left in place for months or even years.
Unfortunately, some brands of port-a-cath devices are now known to have a risk of breaking apart or deteriorating while inside patients’ bodies, leading to:
• Punctured veins, tissues, and organs
• Pieces of the device migrating through the body
• Bacteria leaking into the bloodstream
• Medication leaking out into the body
What Complications are Caused by Defective Port Catheters?
Bleeding
When port-a-cath devices began to break down or fracture inside a patients’ body, they can cause internal hemorrhaging and blood clots. Blood clots from defective port-a-caths can even develop into more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, which can in turn develop into potentially fatal pulmonary embolism or stroke.
Organ Damage
If pieces of the device break apart, they may also travel through the body and puncture veins, tissues, and even major organs, including the heart.
Infection
Infection is also common, which can quickly develop into potentially fatal sepsis or necrosis (tissue death) if not treated correctly in time.
Victims of defective TIVAD implants may need revision surgery and extensive medical care to treat the resulting complications and preserve their health.
How an Experienced Product Injury Lawyer Can Help
Did you or someone you love receive a TIVAD implant of any brand, and experience one or more of the following?
• Port fracture
• Catheter fracture
• Embolism or blot clot
• Sepsis
• Infection
• Heart arrhythmia
If so, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional pain, and physical suffering resulting from your injury.
However, major medical manufacturers spend a lot of time and money developing their products, and they don’t like admitting when those products have dangerous problems, even if it means patients end up hurt or dead.
That means manufacturers will often deny any wrongdoing and fight hard to avoid paying injured victims what they deserve and need just to get their health back to what it was before. Hiring a lawyer can show these negligent medical manufacturers that you are serious about your claim, and aren’t afraid to take it to court if need be.
Speak to Our Lawyers Today for a Free Case Review
The experienced product injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel have helped victims of dangerous medical products nationwide get the compensation they need after their health was harmed by the very thing that was supposed to make them better. We don’t allow our clients to be intimidated or ignored, and we don’t accept settlements that won’t cover all of our clients’ medical expenses both now and down the road.
Your initial consultation is always free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if we win you money.
If you’ve been injured by a defective port catheter, even the playing field by calling Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel today. We can take on your case for you so you can focus on your health.