Chemo Port Infection Lawsuits Over Bard, AngioDynamics Catheters Allege Faulty Design Promotes Bacterial Growth

Lawsuits claim that serious port infections were caused by defective designs that allow bacteria to collect and grow inside the catheter systems.

Amid rising concerns over common manufacturing defects that increase the risk of serious chemo port infections, two separate multidistrict litigations (MDLs) have been established for patients who have received Bard PowerPort and various AngioDynamics port catheters. 

The Bard PowerPort and AngioDynamics port catheters are intended to provide long-term vascular access, and are critical for patients requiring regular intravenous treatments, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics or parenteral nutrition. Implanted under the skin, these ports connect via a catheter to a large vein, directly delivering necessary treatments into the bloodstream.

Despite their crucial roles, reports of severe complications associated with these ports have surfaced since their introductions, Bard PowerPort in 2000, and AngioDynamics in 2003. 

In port catheter lawsuits filed against both manufacturers, individuals have reported experiencing catheter fractures and migrations resulting in blood clots, cardiac injuries and other serious injuries, as well as life-threatening infections. 

Central to both Bard PowerPort lawsuits and AngioDynamics lawsuits are allegations that the manufacturers designed their implantable port catheters with materials that degrade over time, specifically a polyurethane blend mixed with barium sulfate, which is prone to weakening and fracturing. Lawsuits claim these fractures can become breeding grounds for bacteria, significantly increasing the risk of serious bloodstream infections that can disrupt chemotherapy treatments and further jeopardize the health and safety of patients. 

The lawsuits allege that Bard and AngioDynamics knew, or should have known, that their ports were prone to bacterial colonization and infection, yet prioritized profits over patient safety by failing to adequately warn doctors and users.

In this featured post, Aboutlawsuits.com will outline some of the common allegations among the AngioDynamics port catheter and  Bard PowerPort infection lawsuits, which explain how the implantable port catheters caused individuals to develop dangerous and life-threatening injuries.

Port Catheter Infection Side Effects

As a result of these types of bloodstream infections that can cause serious injuries and disruptions to medical treatments, individuals are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers seeking compensation for other side effects caused by the infections, including;

• Thrombosis: Catheter-related infections can lead to thrombosis or blood clot formation, obstructing the flow of blood and potentially leading to pulmonary embolism if the clot travels to the lungs.
• Catheter Malfunction: Infections can cause blockages or malfunction of the catheter, requiring emergency surgery to remove or replace the device.
• Antibiotic Resistance: Many infections necessitate the use of antibiotics, potentially leading to antibiotic resistance. This resistance can make future infections harder to treat.

Identifying Infections in Port Catheters

Infection from a Bard or AngioDynamics port catheter can manifest in various ways. Some common signs of infection include:

• Redness, swelling or tenderness around the port site
• Warmth or heat around the port site
• Drainage or pus coming from the port site
• Increased pain or discomfort around the port site
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue or general malaise
• Unexplained weight loss
• Red streaks extending from the port site

It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary, and not all implanted port device infections present with the same signs. Additionally, some port-related infections might not display any noticeable signs at an early stage. If you experience any concerning symptoms or suspect an infection, it is important to notify your healthcare providers immediately.

Lawsuits Allege Safer Port Catheter Designs Were Ignored

Across lawsuits filed against Bard and AngioDynamics, plaintiffs argue that both companies knew safer port catheter designs were available but failed to implement them, leading to unnecessary infection risks, device degradation and patient injuries.

Central to these claims is a 2010 study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, which found that catheter materials containing barium sulfate, like those used in Bard PowerPort and AngioDynamics devices, are prone to surface degradation and bacterial colonization unless properly coated.

The study compared traditional barium sulfate-infused polyurethane catheters—used by both manufacturers—with those enhanced by surface-modifying additives (SMAs). These SMA coatings were specifically designed to prevent the release of barium sulfate particles and protect against roughening of the catheter surface.

Key Findings From the Study:

• Surface Degradation: Uncoated catheters exhibited significant particle release and surface irregularities, which are known to promote bacterial adhesion and biofilm development.
  
• Bacterial Growth: Exposure to Staphylococcus epidermidis—a common cause of bloodstream infections—resulted in marked bacterial proliferation on uncoated catheters. In contrast, SMA-coated catheters saw significantly reduced bacterial growth.
  
• Preventable Risk: The researchers concluded that even short-term blood exposure caused the uncoated catheters to degrade, increasing infection risk due to surface breakdown and particle shedding.

Despite these well-documented concerns and the availability of safer SMA-coated alternatives, lawsuits claim that neither Bard nor AngioDynamics altered their product designs to mitigate these risks. As a result, patients were exposed to higher chances of fracture, catheter migration and serious infections. To date, no recalls have been issued for Bard PowerPort or AngioDynamics port catheter models due to these safety concerns—an issue repeatedly emphasized in the ongoing litigations.

PowerPort and AngioDynamics Lawsuits Centralized in Federal MDLs

Due to the rising number of lawsuits being filed against Bard and AngioDynamics over defective port catheter systems, the federal court system has established separate multidistrict litigations (MDLs) to coordinate pretrial proceedings and streamline the growing litigation.

MDLs are used to centralize complex product liability lawsuits that involve similar questions of fact and law, helping to avoid duplicate discovery, inconsistent rulings and conflicting pretrial schedules.

Bard PowerPort MDL

As of August 8, 2025, at least 1,807 Bard PowerPort lawsuits have been centralized before U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell in the District of Arizona as part of MDL No. 3081. The court is preparing for the first bellwether trial, scheduled to begin in February 2026.

The case selected for the opening trial involves a Minnesota man, Robert Cook, who developed a port catheter infection shortly after receiving a Bard PowerPort implant during chemotherapy. He required revision surgery to remove the device, and his lawsuit alleges the manufacturer concealed known risks from both patients and physicians. Additional trials involving five other plaintiffs are expected to follow in staggered intervals.

AngioDynamics Port Catheter MDL

Meanwhile, 208 AngioDynamics port catheter lawsuits have been consolidated in the Southern District of California under U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta as part of MDL No. 3094. In April 2025, Judge Ohta appointed a 12-member plaintiff leadership team responsible for coordinating discovery, arguing motions, and managing settlement discussions.

The court is expected to implement a bellwether trial process in the future to help gauge how juries may respond to key evidence and expert testimony. These early trials could shape the direction of potential AngioDynamics port catheter settlements.

How to File a Port Catheter Infection Lawsuit

If you or a loved one were injured by an AngioDynamics chemo port or Bard PowerPort medical device, submit information about your potential claim for review by a Port catheter lawyer to determine whether a settlement or lawsuit payout may be available.

AboutLawsuits.com has partnered with law firms to provide free claim evaluations, by completing a short on-line questionnaire that will be reviewed by a lawyer to determine if a settlement or lawsuit payout may be available.

Claim evaluations are free and all cases are handled by lawyers on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.