PHOENIX, Ariz. — Over 1,100 lawsuits have been filed against the makers of Bard PowerPort, a medical device used for venous access during medical treatments, which plaintiffs claim is prone to fracturing and causing serious injuries. These cases are currently centralized in multidistrict litigation (MDL) before Judge David G. Campbell in Arizona, signifying a growing legal battle against Becton Dickinson, the company that owns Bard.
The ongoing litigation has seen a rapid increase in the number of cases. From having no pending lawsuits in the MDL in October 2023, numbers surged to 1,112 active lawsuits by March 2025. This increase is attributed to allegations of the device’s faulty design, which claimants argue increases the risk of organ damage, infection, and blood clots due to high injection flow rates and the catheter’s tendency to break apart.
The Bard PowerPort is an implantable device designed to provide repeated access to a patient’s veins for the delivery of medication like chemotherapy. However, the device’s design has reportedly led to complications such as abnormal heart rhythms, punctures in the heart leading to pulmonary embolisms, and infections, some of which were severe enough to cause bloodstream infections leading to multiple hospital admissions for patients like Mary Nelk, who filed a lawsuit in New Jersey in February 2023.
Legal professionals have pointed out that the accumulation of tiny plastic fragments from the device into patients’ bloodstream has been particularly concerning. These fragments are said to be released from the Bard PowerPort’s plastic tubing, which can fracture under pressure, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.
Becton Dickinson has faced scrutiny not only over the Bard PowerPort but other medical devices as well. The company previously settled lawsuits concerning its pelvic mesh products and is currently involved in over 11,000 federal lawsuits concerning its polypropylene hernia mesh products, which have not yet reached the stage of jury verdicts or settlements.
Attorneys are actively pursuing these cases, underlining that patients fitted with a Bard PowerPort who have subsequently suffered complications may be eligible for financial compensation. Potential claimants are advised to contact a specialized lawyer soon to ensure their lawsuit is filed within the applicable statute limitations, as these can vary by state.
Those looking for legal representation should seek attorneys experienced in medical device litigation, as their expertise and success in similar cases can significantly impact the outcome. Questions to consider when selecting a lawyer include their familiarity with medical device cases, the number of their cases that have gone to trial, and their overall success rate with medical device settlements.
As the lawsuits proceed, the medical community and potential plaintiffs will be closely monitoring any developments, especially any possible recalls or announcements from health authorities that might affect the use or regulation of Bard PowerPort devices.
Disclaimer: This article was automatically written by Open AI and the facts and circumstances described may not be accurate. Errors, inaccuracies, or requests for retraction can be addressed by contacting [email protected].