TIVAD Lawsuit

Lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by Totally Implanted Ports, also known as TIVAD Ports or Port-a-Caths.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting TIVAD Port induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by a TIVAD Port, needed surgery, or other serious complication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Filed by Hospitalized Woman

In February 2023, a lawsuit was filed by a woman with a Bard PowerPort who was hospitalized with a life-threatening bloodstream infection. Click here to read more.

TIVAD Ports Linked to Serious Injuries & Deaths

Lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by TIVAD ports. These failures were often associated with reports of severe injuries, such as:

• Hemorrhage (internal bleeding)
• Cardiac / pericardial tamponade
• Cardiac arrhythmia and symptoms similar to a heart attack
• Severe and persistent pain
• Perforations of tissue, vessels and organs
• Death

Overview: What is a Totally Implanted Port?

Patients who need long-term treatment with intravenous (I.V.) medicines or fluids may be implanted with a Totally Implanted Venous-Access Device (TIVADs).

These devices are also called “Totally Implanted Ports” or Port-a-caths. Because they are so commonly implanted in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment plans, they may also be referred to as chemo ports.

TIVADs make it easier for doctors and nurses to deliver medications directly into a patient’s bloodstream. The device is surgically implanted completely under the skin, and left implanted, providing healthcare professionals with quick access to a patient’s vein.

How Does a TIVAD Work?

The TIVAD consists of an a silicone injection port that is connected to a long hollow tube (called a “catheter”). One end of the tube sits in a big vein, and the other end of the tube is attached to an injection port that is located just under the patient’s skin, usually on their arm or chest. Doctors insert a needle through the skin into the TIVAD Port to deliver blood, fluids, medication, or nutrients directly into the patient’s veins.

Advantages of a TIVAD

Because a TIVAD is implanted completely inside the body, it is invisible and does not require frequent dressings and medical care. This is an advantage for patients who have medical conditions that need repeated I.V. access for months or years.

Another advantage is that the medication can be delivered to a larger vein, which is especially helpful for chemotherapy drugs that would otherwise damage and irritate the smaller veins, causing serious pain.

What is a TIVAD Used For?

TIVADs are commonly implanted for several reasons:

• Cancer patients who need long-term chemotherapy treatments
• Veins that are hard to access repeatedly
• Patients who are suffering from painful veins due to intravenous chemotherapy
• Patients who need repeated blood samples, parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, or other intravenous medications

Types of TIVAD Ports

• Bard PowerPort
• BioFlo Port by Angioflow
• Vortex Port by Angioflow
• Power Port by Bard
• XCELA
• Navilyst / Angiodynamics
• Medcomp
• Dignity Low Profile CT Ports
• Duo Power Port by Bard
• Palpation Points

Power Port Duo Recalled for Breakage (2021)

In 2021, Bard issued a Class II recall for certain Power Port Duo M.R.I. Implantable Ports. “Catheters may experience difficulty in flushing, infusion, and/or aspiration, and septum dislodgements,” according to the Power Port Recall notice to healthcare professionals.

Cook Medical Recalls 31,000 Vital-Port for Leakage Risks

In November 2017, Cook Medical issued an Urgent Medical Device Recall for about 31,000 Vital-Port Vascular Access Systems.

The problem is that during implantation, a needle provided with the Vital-Port could accidentally cut a piece of silicone out of the Vital-Port septum.

According to the warning from Cook Medical, these silicone pieces could “embolize into the patient’s bloodstream. In addition, medications may leak from the port, resulting in inadequate delivery of the medication and potential injury to the surrounding tissues.”

In March 2018, Cook Medical announced a Class II recall for the Vital-Port Vascular Access Systems. No injuries were reported.

TIVAD Class Action Lawsuits

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. If you or a loved one was harmed by a TIVAD, we may be able to help you file a lawsuit, seek justice and financial compensation for your injury, medical expenses, disability, lost income, wrongful death of a loved one, and more.

Do I have a TIVAD Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting TIVAD Port induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a TIVAD Port, needed surgery, or other serious complication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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