The Bard PowerPort is an implanted port catheter used to deliver medication. Lawsuits allege the catheter can fracture or migrate, and these cases have been consolidated in federal court.
Overview
The Bard PowerPort is a totally implantable vascular access device — a small port placed under the skin connected to a thin catheter. It is used to repeatedly deliver chemotherapy, antibiotics, nutrition, and other medications without the need for frequent needle sticks. It is manufactured by Bard Access Systems, a subsidiary of Becton Dickinson (BD).
Lawsuits allege that the catheter portion of certain PowerPort devices is prone to fracturing, cracking, or migrating after implantation, and that this can lead to serious injury. In 2023, federal cases were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL 3081) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
This page is an educational resource and does not evaluate any individual's medical situation or legal claim. If you have a PowerPort and are concerned about symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Reported concerns
- Catheter fracture, cracking, or breakage
- Catheter migration or movement of fragments within the body
- Blood clots (thrombosis)
- Serious or recurring infections
- Cardiac or vascular injury, including perforation
- Hospitalization or surgery to remove or repair the device
Who may want to learn more
You may want to request a free review if:
- You were implanted with a Bard PowerPort or similar Bard implanted port.
- You experienced a complication such as catheter fracture, migration, clotting, or infection.
- You required treatment, hospitalization, or surgery related to the device.
These are general informational prompts, not a determination that you have a claim. Eligibility is evaluated by independent attorneys.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PowerPort used for?
It provides repeated access to the bloodstream for treatments like chemotherapy, reducing the need for frequent IV insertions.
What do the lawsuits claim?
They generally allege that the device's catheter material can degrade and fail, and that patients were not adequately warned of these risks. These are allegations; outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
Is this site run by a law firm?
No. We are an independent awareness and referral service. If you ask to be connected, we can refer your information to an independent attorney.
References
- In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation (MDL 3081). Federal cases consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (2023).