If you have suffered an injury associated with an implanted port device – also known as a port-a-cath, Holman Schiavone may be able to assist.
Implanted port installation is often utilized in patients who require ongoing access to a vein for treatment and/or transfusion. These devices may result in complex and unique injuries.
If you have suffered an injury due to an implanted port, you may be entitled to compensation. Our firm represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and you pay no legal fees unless we secure a verdict or settlement on your behalf.
WHAT IS A PORT-A-CATH/IMPLANTED PORT?
A port-a-cath is an implanted device that makes it easier for a medical professional to access a patient’s veins. It consists of two parts:
- A catheter, a long tube that is inserted in your veins.
- A port, connected to the end of the catheter and implanted beneath the skin.
The port allows medical professionals to easily inject fluids into the bloodstream without having to install an IV each time.
WHO NEEDS AN IMPLANTED PORT?
An implanted port is often used in those individuals who because of their medical condition, require regular access to a vein for medication and/or therapy. The ports are most often implanted in patients diagnosed with cancer who require treatment therapy. Other uses include patients who require, on a regular basis:
- Blood transfusions
- Blood draws
- Antibiotic treatments
- Other IV treatments
COMMON ISSUES WITH IMPLANTED PORTS
Implanted ports can be subject to different types of failures, each which has the potential to cause serious injury. Some of the most common issues with implanted ports include catheter failure, infection, and catheter migration.
CATHETER FRACTURE
When this occurs, all or part of the catheter may break off and migrate to other parts of the body, causing serious complications. This is most commonly due to a reduction in catheter durability due to constant flexing – also known as flex fatigue. When this happens, the catheter typically breaks into multiple pieces and migrates through 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 patient’s’ lungs.
LONG-TERM RISK OF INFECTION
As the catheter has a reduction in durability, it is possible for bacteria and other pathogens to permeate through the catheter. Often, holes and cracks in the catheter 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.
CATHETER MIGRATION/DISLODGEMENT
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.
WHO IS LIABLE FOR PORT CATH INJURY?
In cases involving implanted port injuries and issues, it is often the manufacturer who may be held liable for injuries that occur. In many instances, manufacturers have failed to implement safety measures that could prevent injury.
CONTACT US TODAY
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.
To discuss the circumstances of your case, call our implanted port injury attorneys at 816-399-5149. Or reach out to us via our online https://www.kdh-law.com/contact/ to schedule a free consultation with us today to see if we can help.
