Bard PowerPort Lawsuits: Why Patients Are Suing

Last updated: October 2026

Bard PowerPort lawsuits have grown from 10 federal cases in 2023 to more than 3,700 in 2026. Patients say Bard’s implanted port catheters broke down and caused infections, fractures, migration, and blood clots. In 2026, they got their first answers from juries, including a $40 million verdict. Below, we also explain how to confirm your device, which warning signs patients describe and how test trials shape Bard PowerPort lawsuits for everyone else.

Here is who is suing, what they want, and what has happened so far.

Who is filing Bard PowerPort lawsuits

Most plaintiffs had a Bard implanted port for cancer treatment, IV nutrition, or long-term medication. A port sits under the skin and connects to a catheter that runs into a large vein near the heart.

The people suing say their port caused harm such as:

• Infections, sometimes serious enough to need a hospital stay
• A catheter that cracked or broke into pieces
• Pieces that traveled to the heart or lungs
• Blood clots in the catheter or vein

Those are the injuries described in the JPML’s August 2023 order that combined the federal cases.

How the cases grew

When the JPML created MDL No. 3081, there were 10 cases in six federal districts. The panel sent them to Senior U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell in Arizona.

By September 1, 2026, the JPML’s report listed 3,734 pending actions. The steady growth shows how many patients have come forward.

Several things drove that growth. News of the MDL spread, more patients learned that their injuries matched the claims, and the start of bellwether trials in 2026 drew new attention. Filings have continued since the first verdicts.

The defendants named in the MDL order are Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), C.R. Bard, Inc., and Bard Access Systems, Inc. BD owns Bard.

What patients say went wrong

The central claim is about the catheter material. Plaintiffs allege Bard used a level of barium sulfate that was “too high,” which they say weakens the catheter over time. Barium sulfate is added so the catheter shows up on X-rays.

Patients also claim Bard did not warn doctors and patients well enough about the risks. Bard denies these claims and says its ports provide important benefits.

Other claims in some cases include:

• Design defect: the port or catheter could have been made safer
• Negligence: Bard did not take reasonable care in design or warnings
• Consumer protection claims under state law

Not every claim succeeds. In the first trial, the jury rejected the warning and consumer fraud claims. In the second, it accepted design and warning claims but rejected fraud.

Learn more in our Bard PowerPort lawsuit explainer.

What “justice” looks like to patients

People in these lawsuits generally seek three things:

• Accountability. A finding that the device was defective or that warnings fell short.
• Compensation. Money for medical bills, lost income, pain, and other harms.
• Safer devices and clearer warnings for future patients.

Each case is individual. Even in an MDL, every person’s claim rests on their own device, injury, and records.

For many, the lawsuit is also about being heard. Patients describe extra surgeries, hospital stays, and delays to cancer care. In the first bellwether trial, the plaintiff said his infection delayed his cancer treatment by 30 days. A lawsuit is one way to put those experiences on the record.

What juries have said so far

In 2026, the first two bellwether trials gave patients mixed results.

The first trial

Robert Cook claimed his port caused a life-threatening infection that delayed his cancer treatment. In May 2026, the jury rejected most of his claims but could not agree on design defect, Courthouse News reported. His lawyer said he plans to retry that claim.

The second trial

Kimberly Divelbliss claimed her catheter broke and a fragment lodged in her heart. On September 4, 2026, the jury awarded her $40 million, finding design defect and failure to warn, AboutLawsuits reported. The jury did not award punitive damages. Bard has signaled it may challenge the verdict.

What comes next

More bellwether trials are set to start October 13, 2026, December 1, 2026, and February 2, 2027. No global settlement had been announced as of September 2026.

Why individual patients matter in a mass case

With thousands of cases, it’s easy to feel like one voice doesn’t count. But in an MDL, each claim stays individual. The court picks bellwether cases from real patients, and their stories are what juries hear.

Patients’ records also help show patterns. When many people report similar injuries, like catheter fractures or infections, that can support the broader claims being tested at trial.

Patients who come forward help in other ways too:

• Reporting problems to the FDA adds to the public safety record.
• Keeping records helps show what happened and when.
• Sharing experiences with care teams may help other patients get faster care.

Speaking up through the FDA

Patients and doctors can report port problems to the FDA through MedWatch. These reports go into the FDA’s MAUDE database.

The FDA has not recalled Bard PowerPorts over the barium sulfate claims. It has listed a few small lot recalls for other issues, such as a 2021 recall of some PowerPort duo M.R.I. ports for flushing problems and septum dislodgement.

What to expect if you decide to file

Joining the litigation is a personal decision. If you choose to move forward, the process generally looks like this:

• A participating law firm reviews your situation for free.
• The firm gathers your medical records and confirms your device.
• If the firm takes your case, it files it, usually in or into MDL 3081.
• You receive updates as the litigation moves through trials and possible settlement talks.

Most people in an MDL don’t go to trial themselves. Only a small number of cases are chosen as bellwethers. Still, each case needs clear proof of the device and the injury.

Joining a lawsuit can take patience. Large product cases often run for years. Staying in touch with your firm and keeping your records up to date can help your case move smoothly.

To learn how the process starts, see how a free case review works.

How to tell if your port fits Bard PowerPort lawsuits

Many patients are not sure which port they have. Ports look alike under the skin, and you may have had yours placed during a hard time in treatment. Confirming the device is often the first question in Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

Places to look for your device name

• Your patient ID or medical alert card. Many patients are given a small card after the port is placed. It may list the brand, model and lot number.
• The operative or procedure report. This is the note written by the doctor who placed the port. It often names the device.
• The implant log or supply record. Hospitals often record the product code and lot number of implanted devices.
• Imaging reports. X-ray and CT reports may describe the port and catheter tip position, though they do not always name the brand.
• Removal records. If your port was taken out, the removal note and any pathology report may describe the device and any damage.

Why the details matter

The federal court in Arizona has asked plaintiffs to provide documents showing the device’s product code and lot number, along with records of each complication. That shows how central device proof is in Bard PowerPort lawsuits. A participating law firm can help request these records if you do not have them.

If you cannot find anything

Do not guess the brand from memory. Hospitals and surgery centers keep records for years, and you have a right under federal law to request copies of your medical records. A firm reviewing your situation may be able to track down the details for you.

If your port was made by another company

Several companies make implanted ports. If your records show a different maker, your device would not be part of the federal Bard case. That does not mean nothing happened to you. It only means Bard PowerPort lawsuits may not be the right fit, and a firm can explain whether any other option may apply.

Warning signs patients in Bard PowerPort lawsuits often describe

Most people who join Bard PowerPort lawsuits did not know anything was wrong at first. Many describe small signs that became serious over days or weeks. Knowing these signs can help you get care quickly.

Signs to report to your care team

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, lists warning signs for people with central venous catheters, the type of line a port connects to. It advises contacting your provider if you:

• Have trouble flushing the catheter, or it seems blocked
• Have bleeding, redness or swelling at the site
• Notice leaking, or the catheter seems cut or cracked
• Have pain near the site or in your neck, face, chest or arm
• Have signs of infection, such as fever or chills
• Are short of breath or feel dizzy

You can read the full list on the MedlinePlus central venous catheter page. If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Keep a short symptom log

If you notice a problem, write down the date, what you felt and who you told. Note any tests, such as X-rays or blood cultures, and what your doctor said. A simple log helps your care team, and it can also help a firm understand how your injury unfolded if you later look into Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

Family members can help with the timeline

If you were very sick when problems started, you may not remember every detail. A spouse, adult child or caregiver may recall hospital visits, symptoms and what doctors said. Ask them to write down what they remember, in their own words and with dates when possible. These notes can fill gaps in your own memory and help a firm see the full story.

Never remove or adjust a port yourself

Only a trained clinician should flush, access or remove a port. If a doctor decides your port should come out, ask whether the device and any fragments will be saved or sent to pathology, and ask for a copy of the report.

Questions to ask your doctor

If you are worried about your port, these questions can help you get clear answers at your next visit:

• What brand and model of port do I have, and can I get a copy of the implant record?
• Is my catheter in the right place on my latest imaging?
• Do my symptoms suggest an infection, a clot or a problem with the catheter?
• If the port needs to come out, what are the risks of leaving it in versus removing it?
• Can you note in my chart any damage found when the port is removed?

Your doctor’s answers are about your health first. But clear notes in your chart can also help if you later decide to look into Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

How bellwether trials work in Bard PowerPort lawsuits

The article above describes the first two trial results. It helps to know why these trials happen and what they can and cannot do for other patients.

What a bellwether trial is

In a large MDL, the judge cannot try thousands of cases at once. Instead, a small group of cases is prepared for trial first. These are called bellwether trials, after the bell worn by a lead sheep.

Each bellwether is a real patient’s case. The goal is to show both sides how juries respond to the evidence on common issues, such as the catheter material and the warnings.

What a verdict means for everyone else

A bellwether verdict decides only that one person’s case. It does not set an amount for other Bard PowerPort lawsuits, and it does not bind other juries.

Still, a pattern of results can shape settlement talks. A series of plaintiff wins may push both sides toward a deal. A series of defense wins may lead plaintiffs to rethink some claims.

Why results can change after trial

After a verdict, the losing side can ask the judge to set it aside or order a new trial. It can also appeal. That is why a single award may be reduced, overturned or upheld months later. Patients in Bard PowerPort lawsuits should treat early verdicts as signals, not promises.

What this means if your case is not chosen

Most people are never part of a bellwether. Your case stays on file while these trials go forward. Your role is mainly to keep your records current, answer your firm’s questions and stay reachable.

How long Bard PowerPort lawsuits may take

No one can say when the litigation will end. Large device cases often take several years from the first filings to any broad resolution. More trials are scheduled into 2027, and results may affect what happens next.

In the meantime, filing deadlines keep running for people who have not yet filed. Those deadlines vary by state and claim type, so waiting for the trials to finish is not always safe. A participating law firm can review which dates may apply to you before you decide whether to join Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

Glossary of terms used in Bard PowerPort lawsuits

Court papers and news stories about these cases use many medical and legal words. Here is a plain-language list.

• Implanted port: a small device placed under the skin, usually in the upper chest, used to give medicine or draw blood.
• Catheter: the thin, flexible tube that runs from the port into a large vein near the heart.
• Septum: the soft center of the port that a needle passes through.
• Barium sulfate: a substance added to the catheter so it shows up on X-rays. Plaintiffs claim the amount used weakened the catheter.
• Fracture: a crack or break in the catheter.
• Migration: when the catheter or a broken piece moves out of place, sometimes toward the heart or lungs.
• Thrombosis: a blood clot in the catheter or vein.
• MDL No. 3081: the federal multidistrict litigation in Arizona that holds Bard PowerPort lawsuits filed in federal court.
• Short-form complaint: a shorter filing many MDL plaintiffs use, which adopts the shared claims and adds their own facts.
• Plaintiff Profile Form: a court-required set of questions about each patient’s device, injury and treatment.
• Compensatory damages: money meant to make up for losses, such as medical bills and pain.
• Punitive damages: extra money meant to punish serious misconduct, allowed only in some cases.
• MAUDE: the FDA’s public database of reports about medical device problems.

Some of these terms also appear in court orders posted on the federal court’s website. Knowing these words can make it easier to follow updates and to ask clear questions about where you fit in Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

Bard PowerPort lawsuits: frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

If you want to join other patients in seeking accountability, Direct2Attorney can connect you with a participating law firm for a free review. A firm may tell you whether you may qualify. Visit our Bard PowerPort lawsuit page.

Bard PowerPort lawsuits are moving forward, and every patient’s story adds to the picture.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.