![Canadian IVC Filter Class-Action Lawsuits Filed](/images/articles2/Yasmin-Canada-US-flags-article-3.jpg)
That risk caused the FDA to issue a safety alert in 2010, warning that the retrievable filters should be removed as soon as the patient no longer requires intervention to prevent blood clots.
According to CTV News (2/23/16), one of the Canadian class-action lawsuits was filed by Wendy Kopeck, who had an IVC filter implanted in August 2013. When doctors attempted to remove the filter, they discovered the filter was broken and one leg of the filter - used to trap blood clots - was piercing her internal jugular. The rest of the filter had moved to Kopeck’s small intestines. As a result, the device cannot be removed, and she must be on blood thinners for the remainder of her life.
Kopeck filed a $200 million lawsuit seeking class-action status alleging she was not warned about the risks associated with using Cook Medical’s inferior vena cava filter.
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Although the filters perform an important, life-saving function, critics say it is possible they are being used too frequently, in patients who may not need them. Furthermore, it is possible the retrievable filters are left implanted for too long, increasing the chances of a complication. Some critics say device makers have failed to protect the interests of their patients.
In a December report by NBC, Dr. William Kuo, an expert in IVC filter removal argued that the IVC filters were never safe to be implanted.
More lawsuits are also being filed in the United States. As of March 15, 2016, there were 289 lawsuits consolidated for pretrial proceedings against Cook Medical in MDL 2570. There were also 93 lawsuits consolidated against Bard in MDL 2641.
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