Port A Cath, Port IV & TIVAD Lawsuit & Complications

Many people who are going through difficult medical issues—such as cancer—find that it’s difficult to receive multiple injections of medicine each day. Port-a-caths were designed to lessen the need for needles and pain in people who require intravenous medication regularly. 

Unfortunately, many people who use these devices have experienced pain and complications. Some people who have been affected are working with port-a-cath lawyers to learn whether they may be eligible for compensation. 

Here, we’ll explore everything you need to know about port-a-cath lawsuits to determine whether you may be eligible to work with a port-a-cath lawyer and file a case. 

Port-A-Caths are a common medical implant device used to access veins. The device (port) is placed under the skin, and it is connected to a vein via a catheter. Port-a-caths allow doctors and healthcare professionals to administer medicines and transfusions to the patient, and are often seen as a more comfortable way to administer treatments. Port-a-aths – also known as ports, IV ports, and TIVADs – are simple devices, but many believe they pose a risk to patients.  Many have filed Port-A-Cath lawsuits, with lawyers representing people who claim their port devices are defective. There have been claims of Port-A-Cath injuries and, in some extreme cases, Port-A-Cath-related deaths. 

A port is a small device that is implanted under the skin, allowing easy access to a vein. It is usually then connected to a catheter (a type of tube) that delivers medicine to the veins or other parts of the body requiring medication.  port-a-cath is shorthand for port-a-catheter, which is actually a brand name for a type of TIVAD (Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices). 

While there are other names for port-a-ath, the brand name is often used. Sometimes, the term is spelled as portacath, or simply referred to as  port. Regardless of the nomenclature, port-a-aths/TIVADs are devices frequently used in medicine. These devices are especially common in cancer patients and those who need regular blood transfusions. 

Port-a-caths allow healthcare professionals to easily administer intravenous medicines to patients. Sadly, recent complaints from patients show that some of these devices may be defective. Port-a-cath patients may experience health complications and injuries due to the device.. This is the fundamental basis of the 2022 port-a-cath lawsuits.

TIVAD is an acronym for Totally Implantable Venous Access Device. A TIVAD is a medical instrument placed under the skin with a small tube connecting to a vein, allowing medication to be administered without needle sticks. As mentioned above, a Port-A-Cath is an example of a TIVAD.

Types of TIVAD ports:

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

Port IV is another term for a TIVAD or a port--ath. IV, in this case, refers to intravenous. When we refer to Port IV, TIVAD, or port-a-ath, it is usually a catch-all term for an implant device that helps deliver medicine to the veins.

April 1, 2025

Improving the safety patient and quality of care of the totally implantable venous access device process in oncology.

February 1, 2025

Significant legal actions are underway concerning implantable port catheter devices, including Port-A-Cath, Port IV, and Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices (TIVAD). These devices, commonly used for administering medications like chemotherapy, have been associated with severe complications, leading to numerous lawsuits.

• January 1, 2025 - Breast Cancer Treatment Options: Ports and Other IV Catheters
• December 1, 2024 - The executor of an estate in California is suing Bard after the use of Bard PowerPort implants catheter devices caused complications such as catheter fracture, infection and thrombosis.
• August 1, 2024 - Lawyers Select 24 Bard PowerPort Lawsuits for Early Trials in MDL
• July 1, 2024 - Beyond Needles: Pioneering Pediatric Care with Virtual Reality (VR) for TIVAD Access in Oncology
• June 1, 2024 - Risk Factors for Unplanned Early Implantable Port Catheter Removal in Adult Hematology Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Propensity Score Matching Study.
• May 1, 2024 - Port implants: Procedures, recovery and side effects.
• April 1, 2024 - Vascular access device type for systemic anti-cancer therapies in cancer patients: A scoping review.
• March 1, 2024 - Central Venous Access in the Pediatric Patient Treatment & Management.
• February 1, 2024 - Risk Factors of the Totally Implantable Venous Access Device-Related Infection in Patients With Brain Tumors Undergoing Chemotherapy After Surgery.
• January 1, 2024 - Totally Implantable Intravenous Device (TIVAD) Market Analysis Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Revenue
• November 1, 2023 - Exploring risk factors for totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs)-related thrombotic occlusion in the off-treatment period.
• September 1, 2023 - Article that explains implanted ports, port placement, and how to care for your port. An implanted port is often called a mediport or port-a-cath. A port protects your veins during cancer treatment.
• June 1, 2023 - To Port, or Not to Port? What are the risks or concerns?
• March 1, 2023 - Class 2 Device Recall Sterile Procedural Trays
• February 1, 2023 - According to Grand View Research, Inc., the global market for vascular access devices is expected to exceed USD 2.64 billion in 2030. From 2023 to 2030, the market will grow at a rate of 5%.
• January 1, 2023 - Port A Cath Class 2 Device Recall Medical Action Industries Inc.
• December 1, 2022 - National Library of Medicine - The National Center for Biotechnology: TIVAD information.

Port-a-cath law firms are now accepting claims from people who may have been impacted by defective TIVAD devices. As mentioned, there are many types of  of TIVAD devices, produced and marketed by a range of companies. As of late 2022, it’s become more apparent that many of these devices may be faulty, or even dangerous. 

Port-a-cath problems reported by TIVAD lawsuit claimants include leakage, infections, and device failure. It’s even more worrying, however, that people depend on these devices for serious medical purposes, including chemotherapy treatments. A failed port could lead to serious injury or death. These revelations, coupled with FDA recall action, have caused a wave of new lawsuits to be filed against TIVAD device producers.

The FDA has recalled numerous port-a-cath devices over the years. Instances of FDA port-a-cath recalls stretch back to 2004. These include a PowerPort duo M.R.I. Implantable Port recall (May 2021), a PORTACATH II POWER P.A.C. Low Profile system recall (June 2020), and a Power Port Implantable Port recall (March 2020). As previously stressed, port-a-caths/TIVADs come under a number of brand names and are manufactured by numerous medical device companies. If you haven’t seen a recall for your port-a-cath but have experienced problems, it’s possible that your device is defective but the FDA has yet to issue a recall on your product.

There are several things that can go wrong with port-a-cath, including blood clots and port-a-cath infection. Port-a-cath blood clot symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately, as a blood clot could lead to a debilitating injury or death. Several claimants in the port-a-cath lawsuits have also reported port-a-cath infection complications, bruising around the port-a-cath implant, and blocked ports. All of these complications can lead to live-threatening injuries.

As a TIVAD implant is a type of port-a-cath and vice versa, all of the potential TIVAD complications are the same as those of port-a-cath. If you have symptoms of blood clot in your port-a-cath, you should report this to your doctor. TIVAD blood clot symptoms include swelling, redness, or discoloring of the area near the port-a-cath implant. This may require a small surgery to remove the defective port-a-cath, but it’s worth pointing out that there can be complications after port-a-cath removal too.

As a TIVAD implant is a type of port-a-cath and vice versa, all of the potential TIVAD complications are the same as those of port-a-cath. If you have symptoms of blood clot in your port-a-cath, you should report this to your doctor. TIVAD blood clot symptoms include swelling, redness, or discoloring of the area near the port-a-cath implant. This may require a small surgery to remove the defective port-a-cath, but it’s worth pointing out that there can be complications after port-a-cath removal too.

All port-a-cath devices can lead to implanted port complications. The implants are placed underneath the skin (usually close to the heart), so blocking, leakage, movement, and other factors can cause injury. Moreover, IV ports are used to deliver essential medicines or other fluids like blood. If a port-a-cath fails the patient is at risk of injury or death. 

We are still learning about the extent of port-a-cath injuries. The hope is that the port-a-cath lawsuits help to shine a light on the issue, uncovering whether there is negligence on the part of the device manufacturers, companies marketing these products, or healthcare companies involved with fitting the devices. As more people come forward to file lawsuits, we will have more information on the potential injuries caused by the devices. 

All of these factors could combine to determine how much you can get from a port-a-cath lawsuit payout award, if eligible. Moreover, there is always a possibility that the companies behind the products decide to settle out of court. But at this stage, it’s too soon to tell what will happen.

Personal injury attorneys are calling for people to come forward today if they believe they have been injured by a port-a-cath or related device. Specialized port-a-cath injury law firms are taking on claimants in all 50 states, stating that there is a real chance for those injured by the devices to receive financial compensation. It is possible that thousands of people will litigate.

If you think you have been injured by a port-a-cath or similar device, or you are representing a family member who has been injured, your first step should be to contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in this kind of litigation. Eligibility can depend on many factors, including the type of device fitted, when it was fitted, and the type of injury caused by port-a-cath. To understand your options, speak to a port-a-cath injury lawyer to get started on your journey toward compensation.

What is a port-a-cath?

port-a-cath is a name for a medical device that combines a port and a tube to administer fluid (drugs, medicines, blood, etc.) intravenously. Please note that port-a-caths are also called ports, port IVs, TIVADs, and other names. 

What is port-a-cath Used For?

A port-a-cath is used by healthcare professionals to deliver medicines or other fluids (like blood or saline) into patients’ veins. These devices make it possible to bypassdirect injections, making it more comfortable for the patient and easier for the medical practitioner to administer medications. Port-a-caths are widely used among people who regularly receive these intravenous treatments, including cancer patients.

Can a port-a-cath move?

Yes. It is possible for port-a-cath to move under the skin, particularly when it has been implanted incorrectly. This can cause injury.

What can go wrong with a port-a-cath?

Several things. Those bringing port-a-cath lawsuits claim that the devices have caused various injuries, including blood clots, infections, and bruising. In some cases, a malfunctioning port-a-cath can lead to serious complications, particularly if those using the devices aren’t able to receive the life-saving medications port-a-caths are used for.

What are the port-a-cath complications symptoms?

Port-a-cath use can lead to myriad complications, including blood clots, infection, and bruising. Symptoms range from swelling and redness to other skin discoloration and tenderness.

What is an IV Port?

An IV port is simply another name for a port-a-cath or TIVAD. These devices consist of a port and a catheter. The former is used to house the medicine or fluid, whereas the latter delivers the fluid to the veins.

What is an IV injection Port?

An IV injection port is the same as a Port IV, TIVAD, or port-a-cath. IV stands for intravenous, meaning it is a port for injecting into the vein.

Can an IV Port cause an allergic reaction?

Any device implanted into the body can cause an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions are a rare occurrence with ports.

What is a Tivad?

TIVAD is a Totally Implantable Venous Access Device, which is synonymous with Port IV or port-a-cath.

What is a Tivad used for?

Like port-a-caths, TIVADs are used to administer fluids like drugs or blood to the vein.

How do I access Tivad?

The TIVAD device is implanted underneath the skin, usually just above the heart, in order to attach to a vein. You cannot access TIVAD without the help of a trained medical professional.