Plaintiffs are joining in litigation against Bard Access Systems, Inc., which manufactures Bard PowerPort. These product liability lawsuits claim Bard PowerPort, a catheter device, causes severe injuries, such as heart punctures, infections, hemorrhages, blood clots, and fractures.
Complainants claim that Bard Access Systems, Inc. didn’t adequately warn doctors and patients of these risks. MDL No. 3081 was filed on May 24, 2023, to transfer these lawsuits to multidistrict litigation (MDL). More plaintiffs continue to join this MDL even today.
What Is the Bard PowerPort, and How Is It Used?
Bard Access Systems, Inc. designed, manufactured, and sold the Bard Poweich, a port or catheter system. The PowerPort is an implantable vascular access device that provides repeated access to the vascular system, allowing easy delivery of intravenous fluids, medications, blood products, and parenteral nutrition solutions.
It’s surgically implanted under the skin, often the chest or arm, providing a central line for doctors and nurses to administer therapeutic medicines, chemotherapy, and fluids through infusion or injection. Also known as BardPort, it offers a discreet and convenient implantable option for regular intravenous therapy. The device’s design allows for repeated use and multiple power injection cycles with time without compromising safety.
It comprises two primary elements: a polyurethane catheter and an injection port. The injection port has a raised center or septum where the needle is inserted to deliver fluids or medications. From there, the fluids and medicines travel via a flexible tube, the catheter, and enter the bloodstream.
Reported Complications and Injuries From Bard PowerPort Devices
According to the port catheter’s instructions, Bard PowerPort catheter complications and injuries vary from minor to severe. These include deep vein thrombosis, embolisms, and other potentially lethal complications.
Pinch-off syndrome is a debilitating complication that occurs when the device is compressed between the rib and the clavicle. It can cause fluids or medications to block the port catheter and even fracture the catheter.
Doctors and patients have reported that the Bard PowerPort might fracture, causing severe injuries and even vascular injury. Infections at the port site are also complications linked to Bard Chemo Ports. Bacteria might enter a patient’s body when the port fractures, causing lethal infections.
According to Bard Chemo Port lawsuits, design flaws cause the ports to fracture, making them susceptible to migrations after implantations. That can affect flexible tube parts connected to blood vessels. In case of a catheter port fracture, a patient must undergo emergency surgery to remove the chemo port.
Other Bard PowerPort catheter complications include:
- Blood clots
- Death of body tissues (necrosis)
- haemorrhage
- Cardiac punctures
- hematomas
- Sepsis
- Lacerated blood vessels
- Pressure of the heart (pericardial tamponade)
- Tissue of organ perforation
Overview of Current Bard PowerPort Lawsuits and Legal Claims
The Bard PowerPort, also known as a Bard Port or Bard Chemo Port, is a port-a-cath. This port catheter device is inserted under a patient’s skin to allow access to a vein. These medical devices are generally used to deliver fluids or medical IV therapy.
The FDA approved the Bard Chemo Port in 2000 as an implanted port catheter medical device. However, manufacturing and design defects make the medical device prone to fracturing and migration, causing severe injuries, including severe infections and cardiac punctures.
Due to health injuries caused by the implantable port, Bard Access Systems Inc., owned by Becton, Dickson, and Company, is facing product liability suits, known in the legal space as the Bard PowerPort lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that patients who had these chemo ports might have higher risks of injuries and complications because of catheter failure.
In August 2023, the Bard PowerPort lawsuits were merged as a federal MDL before Judge David Campbell. The MDL names Bard Access Systems, Inc., C.R. Bard, Inc., and Becton, Dickinson & Co. as the defendants, accusing them of designing and marketing defective and harmful implanted port catheter devices.
Suppose you or a loved one had a Bard Chemo port and later developed Bard PowerPort catheter complications or injuries because of catheter migration, fracture, or other failures of the Bard chemo port. In that case, you may qualify to file a Bard chemo port lawsuit to seek compensation. Contact a skilled defective medical device attorney to evaluate and prepare your Bard chemo port lawsuit claim.
Recent Updates and Timeline of the Bard PowerPort MDL
As of February 4, 2025, over 1,004 claims had been filed against Bard Access Systems Inc. and other defendants. Complainants allege that the chemo port’s design is flawed and has caused severe health complications, including infections, blood clots, heart punctures, and even death.
February’s lawsuits represent an increase of 125 Bard chemo port lawsuits from December 2023. The lawsuit count will continue to increase as more plaintiffs take a stand in this ongoing lawsuit.
On February 1, 2025, the Bard MDL court issued an order regarding discovery deadlines and rules for Discovery Group 1 lawsuits. According to the discovery deadlines and rules, the plaintiff and defendant teams must submit comprehensive discovery plans by April 7, 2025. They must also take depositions of essential players like complainants, medical experts, and others by April 4, 2025. Those depositions will be conducted remotely and are limited to seven hours. The parties can exchange a maximum of 40 relevant documents five days in advance.
The December 2024 status hearing led to a new Case Management Order extending the evidence discovery deadline until the end of February 2025 and expert discovery until July 2025. Judge David G. Campbell also pressured both sides to comply with previous court orders and resolve matters related to fact documents by the end of 2025.
The court won’t set dates for test jury trials (bellwether trials) until the discovery stage is completed, so don’t expect any progress in settlement discussions soon.
Key Allegations Against Bard Access Systems and Becton Dickinson
The Bard PowerPort cases allege that the catheter ports are faulty, causing infections and catheter failures that can damage organs, cause thrombosis, and even cause death. The lawsuits also claim that Bard Access Systems, Inc., owned by Becton Dickson and company, the makers of the catheter ports, knew about the potential risks linked to the devices but didn’t inform medical professionals and patients.
The primary allegation is that barium sulfate can degrade the catheter material when directly integrated without a proper protective coating.
Barium sulfate is often added to the catheter material to make it visible during X-ray imaging. The radiopacity is imperative for proper placement and frequent monitoring of the catheter.
Exposure to barium sulfate allegedly weakens the structure integrity of the catheter over time. As the catheter degrades, it might become prone to fracture, which can cause severe medical complications, such as catheter fracture, leakage of fluids or medications into surrounding tissues, and infections.
Complaints’ attorneys will produce expert material scientists and biomedical engineers to testify about the expected interactions between catheter materials and barium sulfate at a molecular level. The science is easy to prove to a jury, which is why many attorneys and law firms are interested in this litigation.
Further, the lawsuits allege that Bard’s warnings suggested that the medical device could only fracture if a physician incorrectly placed it so that a “pinch-off” or “compression” occurred. However, plaintiffs and their attorneys claim that Bard knew internally that these catheter ports were fracturing and causing debilitating injuries because of defects in design and manufacturing.
Essentially, while there are many ancillary allegations, there are three key grounds behind every Bard PowerPort Catheter lawsuit:
- Bard’s failure to give adequate warnings,
- Bard’s negligent and defective design of the PowerPort and
- Massive liability based on manufacturing defects.
Eligibility Requirements for Filing a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit
Anyone who meets the following conditions might qualify to file a Bard PowerPort lawsuit seeking monetary compensation:
- You had a Bard PowerPort Implantable port implanted
- Your Bard Port migrated, fractured, or otherwise malfunctioned post-implantation
- You suffered serious physical injuries due to problems associated with your Bard PowerPort catheter.
Potential Compensation and Settlement Expectations
Although Bard PowerPort Catheter lawsuits are still in their early stages, compensation and settlement amounts are estimated to vary between $10,000 and $100,000 or more.
The settlement or compensation you may receive from a Bard PowerPort lawsuit will depend on the severity of your health complications. Also, it’s imperative to note that settlement, or even receiving a favorable outcome at trial, isn’t guaranteed.
Potential damages in these lawsuits may include:
- Lost income
- The cost of past and future medical treatments
- Legal fees
- Reduced quality of life
- Reduced future earning potential
- Physical and emotional distress
- The loss of a loved
Further, it’s vital to note that because different complaints might have suffered different injuries from these medical devices, individual settlement and compensation amounts will also vary. Complaints have yet to prove their allegations in the Bard PowerPort MDL. Hence, consult a skilled product liability lawyer if you have grounds to file a case against Barr. They can help you gather substantial evidence to prove your case and receive the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take if a Bard PowerPort Has Injured you
If you develop health problems after a Bard PowerPort implant, contact your doctor or other health professional as soon as possible. Bard PowerPort catheter complications can vary from moderate to severe or even life-threatening, so don’t wait too long to contact your doctor. The more the catheter migrates, degrades, or damages blood vessels, the worse your condition may get.
Once you seek medical treatment, it’s imperative to meticulously document your condition and the treatments you receive. That includes keeping records of your diagnoses, medical appointments, medications, and treatments received. Keeping a comprehensive journal of your symptoms, such as onset, duration, and any changes, will provide crucial information for your claims. Additionally, keeping copies of all imaging results, medical reports, and correspondence with medical professionals can act as crucial evidence if you choose to take legal action
After seeking medical attention and documenting your symptoms and treatments, seek legal help. Suppose your doctor or any other medical professional confirms that your health complications were caused by the PowerPort device. In that case, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek financial compensation.
Contacting a skilled personal injury lawyer should be the first step in your Bard PowerPort lawsuit.
How an Experienced Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
Working with an experienced Bard PowerPort attorney can be invaluable if you’ve suffered health problems from the medical device and are considering filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer can help you with:
- Case evaluation: An experienced product liability lawyer can evaluate your circumstances, medical documents, and the specifics of your catheter device to establish if you have viable allegations against Bard Access Systems.
- Case building and evidence collection: Building a strong against Bard Acess systems can be daunting because this is a powerful medical device manufacturer. If you suffered health complications after a Bard Port implantation, your attorney can help you build a solid case and collect evidence to prove you were harmed by a Bard PowerPort catheter. Your attorney can help you obtain medical documents connected to the Bard PowerPort implantable port and subsequent medical complications like catheter migration or fracture.
- Estimating potential compensation: An experienced defective medical attorney can help you review and calculate damages related to your allegation. Your attorney will help gather documents to support your claim for compensation, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Legal representation: Your Bard PowerPort attorney will handle all the legal complexities of the legal process, like filing a lawsuit, meeting deadlines, and adhering to legal procedures. If you don’t fill legal documents correctly or miss deadlines, your lawsuit might be dismissed, or you may lose your ability to recover monetary compensation, no matter how strong your allegations are. Attorneys experienced with Bard PowerPort lawsuits can work to negotiate a fair settlement with Bard Access Systems on your behalf. If they don’t settle, your attorney will prepare your lawsuit for trial and represent you before a judge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bard PowerPort Lawsuits
What Type of Lawsuit Is the Bard Chemo Port Lawsuit?
The Bard Chemo Port lawsuit is a tort product liability–a type of personal injury lawsuit. The primary allegation in the lawsuit is that the defendant made a defective and harmful product that caused injuries.
Who Are the Defendants in the Bard Chemo Port Lawsuit?
The defendants in these lawsuits are three affiliated businesses: Bard Access Systems, Inc. (BAS), Dickson and Company (BD), and C.R. Bard and Beckton (Bard).
What Causes Bard PowerPort Device Migration Injuries and Fractures?
Many factors cause migration and fracture in implantable ports, including frequent use, placement, and design. Patient factors, such as medical conditions, age, and physical activity, can also cause catheter migration or fracture.
Is There a Bard PowerPort Class-Action Lawsuit?
There’s no class-action suit against Bard Access Systems, the maker of Bard PowerPort. However, as of August 2023, the lawsuits filed against Bard Access Systems were merged into MDL. The MDL aims to streamline the legal process for plaintiffs and the courts.
When Was the Port Catheter Developed?
Port catheters were developed in 1982. However, the FDA first approved the Bard PowerPort in 2000.
What Can Go Wrong With a Port Catheter Removal?
Port catheter is a simple procedure; however, several health risks are associated with it. These health risks include bleeding, bruising, catheter fracture, infection, nerve damage, and catheter migration.
How Long Do Bard PowerPorts Last?
Port catheters ordinarily last five to six years, but they might need to be replaced sooner if a patient’s condition changes or they are damaged. Several factors affect the lifespan of port catheters, including how often they are used, the type of catheter used, and a patient’s health condition. At AllConsumer.com, we advocate for your right to safety and open information. Sign up today for up-to-date information on the products you’re consuming.
