For patients undergoing chemotherapy and other long-term intravenous treatments, a surgically implanted port catheter can be a lifeline—providing reliable access for medication delivery without repeated needle sticks. The Bard PowerPort, manufactured by C.R. Bard (now part of Becton Dickinson), was one of the most commonly implanted catheter port devices. But reports of catastrophic device failures have led to thousands of lawsuits from patients who say the device caused more harm than the treatment it was supposed to facilitate.

How the PowerPort Fails

The Bard PowerPort contains barium sulfate, a compound added to make the device visible on imaging scans. However, evidence suggests that barium sulfate degrades the polyurethane and silicone materials of the catheter over time. This degradation can cause the catheter to fracture, allowing fragments to break off and travel through the bloodstream.

The consequences of catheter fracture and migration can be severe: deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism from blood clots forming around the device, cardiac puncture and cardiac tamponade when fragments reach the heart, lacerations to blood vessels and internal organs, arterial thrombosis, and severe infections at the implantation site. For cancer patients already fighting for their lives, these complications can be devastating—and in some cases, fatal.

Who May Be Eligible

Patients who received a Bard PowerPort catheter device and experienced device fracture, catheter migration, blood clots, cardiac complications, organ perforation, or severe infection may be eligible to file a claim. More than 2,500 cases are now active in the federal litigation, with bellwether trials scheduled to begin in April 2026.

Compensation Available

PowerPort injury claims may seek compensation for emergency medical treatment and hospitalization, surgical removal of fractured or migrated catheter components, treatment for blood clots and cardiac complications, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and diminished quality of life. Claims range from tens of thousands of dollars for infection-only cases to hundreds of thousands for cases involving vascular injury, cardiac complications, or death.

Cancer patients deserve treatments that help, not devices that harm. If you or a loved one experienced complications from a Bard PowerPort catheter, Beverly Wilshire Law APC can evaluate your case. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a free consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.