Why Are People Filing Bard PowerPort Lawsuits?
Bard PowerPort catheters allow you to receive chemotherapy and other medications through your bloodstream. However, these catheters come with a risk of breaking down or migrating in your body, causing serious harm.
Bard PowerPort lawsuits claim these devices contain design defects that make them more likely to fail inside the body. Some people have also suffered injuries after their devices moved after implantation.
Many claims focus on:
- Catheters breaking and causing internal damage
- Infections caused by small cracks in the catheters that allow pathogens and bacteria into the bloodstream
- Migration of the device or broken pieces, leading to injuries
As of May 2026, there are at least 3,187 claims as part of the ongoing Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation (MDL), and more continue to be added.
Similar to a Bard PowerPort class action lawsuit, an MDL is used to consolidate a large group of similar claims. These product liability lawsuits argue that Bard Access Systems failed to adequately warn patients and health care providers about these risks.
The litigation may help people afford ongoing medical care and improve patient safety.
If you were hurt, you may be eligible to file a Bard PowerPort lawsuit as well. A Her Case Matters team member can help you understand if you’re eligible for legal action. Get a free case review now.
What Is a Bard PowerPort and How Is It Used?
A Bard PowerPort is a small, implantable medical device placed under the skin. It connects to a catheter that delivers medication directly into the blood vessels.
These devices are commonly used in health care for:
- Blood draws
- Chemotherapy
- Injecting barium sulfate before X-rays
- Injecting contrast dye during CT scans
- Long-term IV medications
The port catheter (sometimes called a port-a-cath) allows repeated access to the vascular system without repeated needle sticks.
While these widely used devices are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many medical product liability lawsuits claim that certain Bard PowerPort devices were defectively designed.
Common Bard PowerPort Complications
People have reported a range of serious complications after port-a-cath implantation. These medical complications can develop months or even years after a Bard port is placed.
Common Bard PowerPort complications include:
- Blood clots and thrombosis
- Cardiac punctures
- Catheter fracture or breakage
- Device migration inside the body
- Hematoma
- Hemorrhage
- Infection and bloodstream infection
- Necrosis (tissue death)
- Perforation or laceration of organs or blood vessels
- Pericardial tamponade (extra pressure on the heart)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Sepsis (a life-threatening infection)
An Annals of Medicine & Surgery study found that 6% of patients with a Bard PowerPort experienced complications within 17 months of implantation. Some of these issues can become life-threatening and may require emergency care or corrective surgeries.
Do You Qualify for a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit?
Qualifying for a Bard PowerPort lawsuit depends on various factors. Our patient advocates are here to listen to your story and provide support resources.
You may be eligible to file a Bard PowerPort lawsuit if you:
- Got a Bard PowerPort catheter or implantable device
- Needed it to deliver medication, chemotherapy, or fluids into your bloodstream
- Suffered complications like catheter fracture, migration, thrombosis, or infection
- Required hospitalization or additional treatments like surgery
Some people are also contacting dangerous drugs and medical device attorneys to file port catheter lawsuits. Legal action helps people seek justice on behalf of a loved one who suffered serious injuries or passed away after experiencing Bard PowerPort complications.
Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Updates 2026
Bard PowerPort claims are part of a growing MDL in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. As of May 2026, the litigation includes at least 3,187 port lawsuits.
Here’s the latest Bard PowerPort lawsuit news:
- An initial trial has begun: The initial bellwether trial started on April 21, 2026, and wrapped up on May 8, allowing the jury to hear how a man’s port got infected during his chemotherapy treatments.
- Bellwether trials scheduled for 2026-2027: Five additional bellwether cases will go to trial through early 2027.
- New Bard PowerPort cases continue to be filed: 642 new chemo port lawsuits were added between January and May 2026, showing continued growth in the litigation.
- Research and discovery are ongoing: Courts are actively handling the discovery process, where both parties share evidence or information related to the case. The courts are also managing depositions, expert testimony challenges, and evidence disputes as part of pretrial proceedings.
Filing a Bard port-a-cath lawsuit could allow you to pursue financial payouts for what happened, so you can focus on recovery. Her Case Matters team members can listen to your story and provide support resources.
How to Start a Bard PowerPort Claim
If you’re among the many women dealing with Bard PowerPort complications, you may be overwhelmed or still trying to understand what went wrong. You don’t need anything fully figured out before reaching out to Her Case Matters.
If you’re eligible, a patient advocate may connect you with a Bard PowerPort lawsuit lawyer who could help you understand your legal options.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Get a free case review: You can speak with our patient advocates to share your experience, ask questions, and find out whether you may have a case.
- Go through a case evaluation: If eligible, our legal partners can review your symptoms, timeline, medical records, and any known complications.
- Let your legal team handle everything: If you decide to move forward, our partner Bard PowerPort lawsuit attorneys can file your claim, manage deadlines, and negotiate settlements on your behalf.
- Spend each day focusing on your health: While your legal team works on your case, your priority can be healing and moving forward.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications after a port implantation, you’re not alone. We’re here to listen, provide support resources, and help you understand your next steps. Get a free case review now to learn more.
Bard PowerPort Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
As of May 2026, Bard has not paid any settlement amounts to people injured by Bard PowerPort catheters. As the Bard port-a-cath litigation moves forward, it’s possible that settlement deals will be made in the near future, allowing families to get a better idea of how much money they can expect.
Prior lawsuits involving defective, implantable medical devices have ended in recoveries that ranged from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars.
It’s also crucial to know that experienced Bard PowerPort law firms will work to recover the strongest possible payouts for families harmed by defective or damaged catheters.
The partner law firms with Her Case Matters have secured over $1.6 billion for people harmed by dangerous medical devices and dangerous drugs.
You may be eligible for compensation, so get a free case review to speak with our patient advocates about your story.
How Could Port Catheter Compensation Help?
You may not have previously considered pursuing compensation for your Bard PowerPort complications. A successful Bard PowerPort lawsuit may provide settlement money that could help with several aspects of daily living.
People may use Bard PowerPort compensation to cover:
- Costs related to additional treatment or surgeries
- Emotional impact
- Lost wages
- Medical bills and ongoing health care needs
- Pain and suffering
Bard PowerPort litigation is still ongoing, but many victims may secure compensation to help afford their expenses and get a measure of justice.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit?
Each state has a statute of limitations, which sets deadlines for filing claims. Deadlines for the Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation vary depending on where you live.
“Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a legal deadline for filing product liability lawsuits. These deadlines vary by state, but many fall within 1-3 years from when your injury occurred or was discovered.”
—Brendan Smith, medical device attorney with Simmons Hanly Conroy
Speaking with a Her Case Matters team member sooner rather than later could help protect your legal options. Once the deadline passes, you may not be able to seek compensation.
Get Clarity About Filing a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit
You expected Bard PowerPort devices to work properly, not cause more harm. If you’re dealing with Bard PowerPort complications, it’s normal to have questions and want straightforward answers.
Her Case Matters is here to help you understand what may be available to you.
With our team’s assistance, you may be able to:
- Connect with a Bard PowerPort attorney
- File a legal claim within set deadlines
- Seek financial compensation for your expenses
Get a free case review right now or call 866-326-5214 to find support resources and learn what steps you may be able to take next.
Bard PowerPort Lawsuit FAQs
What is a Bard PowerPort lawsuit?
A Bard PowerPort lawsuit is a product liability claim against Bard Access Systems. While Bard PowerPort implantable port devices have helped people receive chemotherapy and blood draws, many others have been injured by infections, migration, and broken or dislodged ports.
If you or a loved one may have been similarly affected, call Her Case Matters at 866-326-5214 to see if you’re eligible to meet with a defective medical devices attorney.
Is the chemo port lawsuit legit?
The chemo port lawsuits are legitimate legal actions that are central to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Bard Access Systems. The lawsuits allege that Bard PowerPort implants had a defective design that caused injuries and infections related to device fractures or migrations.
What injuries are linked to Bard PowerPort devices?
Bard PowerPort injuries include blood clots, device migration, catheter fractures, infections, sepsis, pulmonary embolisms, and vascular damage. The injuries stem from manufacturing or design defects that make the polyurethane tubing fracture or break off.
It’s totally okay if you’re unsure whether your adverse symptoms were directly related to your implanted port. Our patient advocates can listen to your story and help you find answers.
Is the Bard PowerPort lawsuit a class action lawsuit?
No, the BardPowerPort lawsuit claims are part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL), where cases are grouped but remain individual.
If and when settlements are announced, each participant would get an amount relevant to their injuries and the extent of their complications.
A class action lawsuit also involves an extensive number of similar cases, but everyone would receive the same amount of compensation because their cases are so similar.
Call Her Case Matters at 866-326-5214 so our patient advocates can walk you through how an MDL works and answer your questions. People who file claims typically don’t pay anything if they lose because their legal team covers the final expenses.
Has the Bard PowerPort been recalled?
There has not been a full Bard PowerPort recall due to implantation complications. There was a limited Class 2 recall between 2019-2020 because some ports were packaged with the wrong tip.
Recalls are a voluntary action taken by a manufacturer, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rarely pulled a product from the market. An MDL’s results won’t force a recall, but may become important evidence that a medical device is dangerous in future lawsuits with that goal.
Is Bard going to settle?
As of May 2026, the Bard PowerPort MDL has not announced any settlements. The first bellwether trials are currently ongoing, though, and could potentially help families get a better idea as to how much their cases may settle for.
The experienced Bard PowerPort lawyers partnered with Her Case Matters have secured over $1.6 billion for clients affected by dangerous medical devices. Get a free case review to see if you might qualify to take legal action.
Written by: Her Case Matters
At HerCaseMatters, we believe women deserve to be heard — especially when it comes to their health and safety. Too often, harmful drugs, devices, and corporate wrongdoing impact women’s lives without proper warning, support, or accountability. We’re here to change that. We work with trusted legal partners who are deeply experienced in holding powerful companies accountable. But more than that, we’re here to remind women everywhere that their pain is real, their experiences matter, and they deserve justice.
- Courthouse News Service. (April 2026). Bellwether trial kicks off over Bard PowerPort catheter infection claims. Retrieved from: https://courthousenews.com/bellwether-trial-kicks-off-over-bard-powerport-catheter-infection-claims/.
- Law.com. (April 2026). First bellwether trial opens against Bard over implanted port catheters. Retrieved from: https://www.law.com/2026/04/29/first-bellwether-trial-opens-against-bard-over-implanted-port-catheters/?slreturn=20260514085822.
- Nakamura, T., Sasaki, J., Asari, Y., Sato, T., Torii, S., & Watanabe, M. (2017). Complications after implantation of subcutaneous central venous ports (PowerPort Ⓡ ). Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 17, 1–6. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.03.014.
- Sokolove Law. (2026). Bard® PowerPort™ lawsuit. Retrieved from: https://www.sokolovelaw.com/product-liability/medical-devices/bard-powerport/.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (January 2025). Recalls, corrections and removals (devices). Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/postmarket-requirements-devices/recalls-corrections-and-removals-devices.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (March 2020). Class 2 device recall power port implantable port. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRes/res.cfm?id=179655.
- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (January 2026). MDL statistics report – distribution of pending MDL dockets by actions pending. Retrieved from: https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-January-5-2026.pdf.
- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (May 2026). MDL statistics report – distribution of pending MDL dockets by district. Retrieved from: https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-May-1-2026.pdf.
