March 22, 2024 by Marjorie R. Rogers, MA (English), Certified Consultant
Imagine this – you are suffering from a chronic ailment and are admitted to the hospital. There is a medical device attached to your body to help you recover. Your body does a lot to support and secure your immunity during the treatment phase. Think about what will happen if the medical device that was supposed to save you sabotages your recovery instead. Your condition will aggravate, resulting in additional injuries.
This has been a real-life predicament for many Bard PowerPort catheter users so far. The device was introduced back in 2000, once the FDA approved it. It is an advanced device that is implanted beneath a patient’s skin to effectively deliver medicines to their bloodstream.
Here, a polyurethane catheter tube is connected with an injection port to one of your central veins. It enables you to receive any medical fluids smoothly as a part of your treatment. Keeping in mind its function, the Bard PowerPort has been adopted by global medical facilities to enhance patient care.
But neither doctors nor patients were aware of the dangers the device could lead to. Medical errors are one of the leading causes of death. The recent flurry of lawsuits against this port catheter device contributes to this unfortunate trend. In this article, we will discuss how patients have suffered after using the Bard PowerPort device and its side effects.
The Tragic Account of Brandy Songy
In August 2023, AboutLawsuits.com shared the story of how Brandy Songy was affected after using Bard PowerPort. She started using this port catheter device in August 2022 to receive chemotherapy injections as a treatment for breast cancer. In July 2023, she had to undergo an emergency heart catheterization because she faced shortness of breath and prolonged heart palpitations.
The port catheter device broke off and moved to Songy’s heart, which led to this condition. Upset with her predicament, she filed her Bard PowerPort lawsuit on July 25th, 2023. She had to opt for additional surgery to remove the fractured device pieces that stayed in her heart after her initial surgery. In the future, she has to undergo heart evaluations and further medical monitoring to ensure she’s not in danger.
The lawsuit further revealed that the manufacturer seemed to have been aware of the potential risks linked to Bard PowerPort. They had concealed this fact from the medical community and patients intentionally. And despite other reports of mishaps because of this defective device, the manufacturers continued to market it as safe.
In her lawsuit, Songy outlined claims of failure to warn, negligence, manufacturing defect, design defect, fraudulent concealment, breach of warranty, and common law fraud. She seeks both punitive and compensatory damages.
TorHoerman Law states that if you too have been affected by this port catheter device like Songy, it is necessary to file a lawsuit. But heading on a legal journey alone can be challenging. Therefore, it’s best to get in touch with a lawyer for guidance and direction. Share every piece of evidence you have with them so that they can build a strong case and ensure you get the maximum settlement payout based on your suffering.
Other Side Effects of Bard PowerPort
The faulty design of the Bard PowerPort increases the injection flow, which creates added pressure against the plastic tube. It can break the barium sulfate tubing and lead to bacterial buildup in a small crack.
As time passes, the pressure makes the plastic fragments move to your bloodstream, which can lead to:
- Blood clots
- Ruptured blood vessels
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Pulmonary embolism
A few side effects that result from the complications are:
- Inflammation
- Difficulty breathing
- Port site drainage
- Fever
- Swelling
- Kidney problems
Almost all Bard PowerPort lawsuits claim these side effects, and patients are seeking fair compensation for their suffering. However, since the lawsuits are in their initial stages, it is challenging to outline a specific settlement payout. However, a lawyer can let you know about the probable settlement amount, depending on your case.
In conclusion, when a medical device that was meant for better patient outcomes adds to more health challenges and delayed recovery, it upsets the users. Above all, it poses added harm to patient health and makes them pay extra for surgeries and treatments to correct the mishaps caused by the defective device. If you have faced the side effects of using Bard PowerPort, it’s necessary to seek legal aid and ask for compensation.
About Author (Marjorie R. Rogers)
The inspiring mum of 6 who dedicates her time to supporting others. While battling with her own demons she continues to be the voice for others unable to speak out. Mental illness almost destroyed her, yet here she is fighting back and teaching you all the things she has learned along the way. Get Started To Read …
