Seeking Justice for South Carolina’s Bard PowerPort Victims

South Carolina patients implanted with Bard PowerPort devices trusted these products to safely deliver vital medications. Instead, many have experienced severe complications including device fractures, blood clots, and dangerous infections requiring emergency intervention.

At Joye Law Firm, our experienced South Carolina Bard PowerPort attorneys have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact these device failures have on patients and families throughout Charleston, Columbia, and across the state. For over 50 years, we’ve stood up for South Carolinians harmed by negligent corporations.

Evidence suggests Bard may have known about critical design flaws in their PowerPort devices yet continued marketing them as safe and reliable. This has left patients facing additional surgeries, prolonged hospitalizations, and ongoing health complications.

What Is a Bard PowerPort Device?

A Bard PowerPort is an implantable vascular access device designed for patients requiring frequent intravenous treatments. The system consists of a small port chamber implanted beneath the skin, typically in the chest, connected to a thin catheter that extends into a major blood vessel, typically the superior vena cava near the heart.

These devices are commonly used in chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, and other treatments requiring repeated access to the bloodstream. When functioning properly, they eliminate the need for repeated needle sticks and provide healthcare providers reliable venous access.

However, research has revealed concerning failure rates in Bard PowerPort devices. Studies published in medical journals including the Journal of Vascular Access have documented higher-than-expected complications. The FDA has received thousands of adverse event reports related to these devices.

Common problems include catheter fracture, where pieces break off and travel through the bloodstream potentially causing embolism; device migration that causes tissue damage; and severe infections that can lead to sepsis. Some patients have faced life-threatening emergencies when device fragments reached their heart or lungs.

Serious Complications Linked to Bard PowerPort Devices

South Carolina patients implanted with Bard PowerPort devices have reported numerous serious complications requiring additional medical intervention. These problems have resulted in emergency room visits, surgeries, and extended hospitalizations. The lawsuits against Bard allege the company failed to adequately test their products and warn patients about known risks. Here are the most significant complications affecting PowerPort recipients:
Catheter Separation

The catheter connected to the PowerPort can break apart inside the body. These fragments may travel through the bloodstream to the heart or lungs, potentially causing life-threatening embolisms requiring emergency surgery and potentially leading to permanent damage.
Thrombosis Development

PowerPort devices have been linked to dangerous blood clot formation. These clots can obstruct blood flow, causing pain, swelling, and tissue damage. If clots travel to the lungs, they can create life-threatening medical emergencies.
Device-Related Infections

The implanted PowerPort creates a potential pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Patients have developed serious infections at the implant site that can spread throughout the body, leading to sepsis, which is a potentially fatal systemic infection.
Port Migration

PowerPort devices can shift from their original placement, causing vein damage, device malfunction, and extreme pain. This movement often necessitates surgical removal and replacement, subjecting patients to additional surgical risks and recovery time.
Venous Injury

The PowerPort catheter can damage blood vessel walls, leading to inflammation, scarring, and even vessel collapse. This damage can cause chronic pain, swelling, and circulation problems that may persist even after the device is removed.

These serious complications have prompted many South Carolina patients to seek legal recourse. Lawsuits allege Bard knew or should have known about these design problems but failed to properly warn doctors and patients. Victims deserve compensation for the medical expenses, pain, and suffering caused by these defective devices.

Legal Basis for Bard PowerPort Lawsuits

South Carolina patients injured by Bard PowerPort devices have several legal pathways to seek compensation. These cases typically fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by defective products. The Joye Law Firm’s experienced Bard PowerPort lawyers are helping victims navigate these complex legal frameworks to secure fair compensation.
Design Defect Claims

Lawsuits allege fundamental flaws in the PowerPort’s design make it unreasonably dangerous. Evidence suggests the catheter connection point is vulnerable to separation and fracture. Under product liability law, manufacturers must create reasonably safe products free from inherent design defects.
Manufacturing Defects

Some PowerPort complications appear linked to inconsistent manufacturing standards that compromised device integrity. Production variations in materials or assembly techniques may have created weaknesses in certain devices, increasing their likelihood of failure after implantation.
Inadequate Warnings

Bard allegedly failed to properly warn physicians and patients about known risks associated with PowerPort devices. Manufacturers have a legal duty to provide adequate warnings about potential dangers, allowing doctors and patients to make informed decisions.
Negligent Testing

Lawsuits claim Bard rushed PowerPort devices to market without sufficient testing to identify potential failure modes. Companies have a duty to thoroughly evaluate their products’ safety before marketing them for use in patients.

These legal claims seek to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by defective PowerPort devices. Our South Carolina Bard PowerPort attorneys work to hold manufacturers accountable while helping victims rebuild their lives after suffering preventable injuries.

Do You Qualify for a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit?

If you’ve suffered complications from a Bard PowerPort device, you may be eligible for significant compensation. To qualify for a potential lawsuit, you typically need to meet these criteria:

Device Confirmation:

  • You must have been implanted with a Bard PowerPort device
  • This can be verified through medical records

Specific Complications:

  • Catheter fracture, separation, or migration
  • Blood clots or thrombosis
  • Device-related infections, including sepsis
  • Vascular damage or occlusion
  • Additional surgeries needed to address device complications

Medical Documentation:

  • Your medical records must connect your injuries directly to the PowerPort device failure or defect

Timely Filing:

  • South Carolina law generally allows three years from injury discovery to file a claim
  • Delays can jeopardize your case

Many patients initially assume their complications are just routine risks of having a medical device. However, evidence suggests Bard PowerPorts may have higher-than-normal failure rates compared to similar devices.

Our experienced South Carolina Bard PowerPort lawyers at Joye Law Firm can quickly assess your situation and determine if you have a viable claim against the manufacturer.

Steps to Take if You've Been Harmed by a Bard PowerPort

If you suspect your Bard PowerPort has caused complications, taking prompt action protects both your health and legal rights. South Carolina patients affected by these devices may be entitled to significant compensation for their injuries and losses. Here’s how to begin the process toward recovery and justice.
Seek Medical Care

Consult your doctor immediately about any symptoms that might relate to your PowerPort. Ensure all complications are properly documented in your medical records. This documentation creates a clear link between your device and the injuries you’ve suffered.
Gather Documentation

Collect all medical records related to your PowerPort implantation, complications, and subsequent treatments. If your device was removed, request that it be preserved as evidence. These records strengthen your potential legal claim.
Explore Compensation

A successful claim may provide payment for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. If your condition requires ongoing treatment, compensation can help ensure you receive proper care without financial strain.
Don't Delay

South Carolina law sets strict time limits for filing product liability claims. Waiting too long could permanently forfeit your right to compensation. Our quick case evaluation can determine if you qualify while preserving your legal options.

Take Action Today

If you’ve suffered complications from a Bard PowerPort device, Joye Law Firm’s experienced South Carolina Bard PowerPort attorneys are ready to help. Since 1968, we’ve successfully represented thousands of injury victims throughout Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Clinton, and across South Carolina.

Don’t face this challenge alone. Our team understands the complex medical and legal issues involved in these cases and will fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. The time to act is limited by state law.

Check your eligibility through our simple online evaluation. Your path to justice begins with one simple step.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation
locations

We’re here for you. And if you can’t make it to us, we’ll meet you where you need us, at home or in the hospital.

Court Costs And Case Expenses Are the Responsibility Of The Client If We Win Or Settle Your Case. Services May Be Performed By Others. Cases likely to be referred.