Six people from different states are suing the maker of medical devices, alleging the filter products are defective and dangerous.
Matt Byrd of Illinois, Laurence Denslow of Florida, Amanda Forsythe of Utah, Ollie Jefferson-Bey of Missouri, Preston Ponder of North Carolina and Rita Van Straalen of Michigan filed the suit collectively on Dec. 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Cook Group Inc., Cook Inc., Cook Medical LLC and William Cook Europe APS.
The plaintiffs allege they suffered personal injuries and economic damages as a result of using medical devices known as Gunther Tulip Mreye, Gunther Tulip Vena Cava filter, Cook Celect Vena Cava filter and Cook Celect Platinum.
The suit says Cook filters implanted in the heart are associated with an increased risk for serious injury and death after tilting, perforation, fracture, breakage and migration.
As a result of having the defendants' filters implanted, the plaintiffs allege they have suffered permanent injuries, pain and suffering, disability and impairment, emotional trauma, loss of the ability to live a normal life, lost earnings and increased medical expenses.
The lawsuit says the defendants knew of the problems with the filters but did not disclose them to physicians and patients.
The plaintiffs seek damages of more than $50,000 from each defendant and for each of 13 counts, plus court costs and attorney fees. They are represented by attorneys John J. Driscoll and Andrew D. Kinghorn of The Driscoll Firm PC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-713