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At The Dickerson Oxton Law Firm, our experienced implanted port injury lawyers are dedicated to helping anybody who has suffered an injury due to issues associated with an implanted port device – also known as a port-a-cath. Implanted port installation is highly recommended for patients who require constant access to a vein for treatment and/or transfusion – but many of these medical devices may put you at a high risk of complex, unique injuries.
If you have suffered an injury due to an implanted port, you may be able to pursue compensation for any negligence that contributed to the implanted port injury. Contact The Dickerson Oxton Law Firm today to discuss your case, and see how we can help you with your port-a-cath injury today.
The Dickerson Oxton Law Firm provides exceptional representation for those who have suffered an implanted port injury due to negligence or carelessness.
It is highly recommended to consult an experienced attorney before proceeding with a claim against a medical manufacturer. These cases often fall under the purview of product liability, also known as defective products. These types of cases can often be incredibly difficult to litigate, requiring a considerable amount of evidence and knowledge in order to succeed. An attorney with experience in product liability cases can assist you in these regards, conducting all litigation on your behalf to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation for your needs.
Additionally, lawsuits against large medical manufacturers may often be intimidating, as many large corporations have extensive legal teams with a large number of resources to protect their own personal interests. Retaining an attorney can help you even the playing field, giving you valuable legal counsel that can provide an equally strong representation in your case.
A port-a-cath is an implanted device that makes it easier for a medical professional to access your veins. It consists of two parts:
The port allows medical professionals to conveniently inject and/or extract fluids into the bloodstream without having to install an IV every time. It is made of a self-sealing material, typically silicone, so that it can withstand multiple punctures of a syringe to administer medication or fluids. Other port-a-caths may use special proprietary needles to prevent damage to the port.
Common manufacturers and brands of implanted port devices include:
Bard
Angiodynamics/Navilyst
Smiths Medical
Teleflex
An implanted port is highly recommended for those who require regular access to a vein for medication and/or therapy. They are most often implanted in patients diagnosed with cancer who require radiation therapy for treatment. Other uses include patients who require these on a regular basis:
Unfortunately, implanted ports are not permanent, and can be subject to different types of failures – all of which have the potential to cause serious, severe injury in patients. Some of the most common issues with implanted ports include catheter failure, infection issues, and catheter migration.
In some cases, all or part of the catheter itself may break off and migrate to other parts of the body, causing serious complications. This is most commonly due to a reduction in durability due to constant flexing – also known as flex fatigue. When this happens, the catheter typically breaks into multiple pieces and is swept throughout the circulatory system. In cases where it gets swept into the heart, emergency heart surgery may be required to remove the fragments. Additionally, this puts patients at a higher risk of a pulmonary embolism – a blockage in lung arteries that can cause significant permanent damage to a patients’ lungs.
In time, as the catheter has a reduction in durability, it is possible for bacteria and other pathogens to permeate through the catheter. Often, these holes and cracks allow pathogens to slip through – but are often too small for the body’s immune cells to pass through. This can result in severe infections that the body is not able to fight.
Similar to catheter fracture, a catheter has the potential to simply dislodge from the implanted port device and migrate to other parts of the body. Although this has the potential for serious injury, catheters that are dislodged often remain whole, so operations to remove them are less intensive and serious than catheter fractures.
In cases involving implanted port injuries and issues, it is often the manufacturer who may be held liable for any serious injuries that occur. Catheters in port-a-cath devices are made of materials such as silicone and polyurethane and no other reinforcements or additives to increase durability. There are multiple types of coatings and additives (completely harmless to the human body) that may be used to further reinforce catheters or prevent degradation from happening at such an increased rate. However, manufacturers have failed to implement these safety measures for unknown reasons.
By knowingly omitting these safety measures in implanted ports, manufacturers may have been negligent in their actions – and therefore may be held fully accountable for their actions.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a failed implanted port or port-a-cath device, please contact us immediately to discuss your case. We are committed to seeking the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
To discuss the circumstances of your case, call our implanted port injury attorneys at (816) 268-1960. Or reach out to us via our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with us today to see how we can help.
