Cook IVC Filter Lawsuits

Written by David B. Rheingold, Managing Partner of Drug and Medical Device Injury Litigation

Last Updated: February 2, 2026

Cook IVC (Inferior Vena Cava) Filters are small devices designed to be implanted into the inferior vena cava—the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart—to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs, which could result in a pulmonary embolism. Lawsuits in state and federal courts are being filed in state and federal courts for Gunther Tulip and Celect filters.

Individuals may choose to pursue legal action against the manufacturer, Cook Medical, if they experienced severe injuries potentially related to the use of Cook IVC Filters.

Some reported complications that might lead to litigation include, but are not limited to:

• Device migration, where the filter moves from its original placement site to other parts of the venous system or adjacent organs.
• Filter fracture, where parts of the device break and potentially migrate to the heart or lungs.
• Perforation of the inferior vena cava or other nearby tissues or organs by parts of the filter.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is the very condition the filter is meant to prevent, as clots can form at the site of the filter.
• Recurrent pulmonary embolism despite the filter being in place.
• Difficulty retrieving the filter, which is particularly concerning with filters intended for temporary use.
• Infection at the implantation site or related to the device.

The product liability lawsuits allege that design defects in Cook IVC filter may have caused the filter to fracture and/or migrate, which may cause the perforation of an organ.

Cook IVC Filter Litigation Update [February 2026]

As of February 2026, there are almost 7,000 pending cases in MDL 2570 before Senior Judge Richard L. Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, as well as s much smaller amount in Indiana State Court. There are many new litigation developments relating to appeal decisions, more trials, and settlement claim categorization. If you may have a future Cook IVC filter lawsuit, or currently are a plaintiff, these could affect you.

Test trials, known as “bellwether cases,” have occurred for the Celect filter. Two of these trials returned verdicts for plaintiffs: Jeffrey Pavlovk $1.4 million and Tonya Brand $3 million. These help establish settlement values. Judge Richard L. Young is now setting test trials for the Gunther Tulip, Cook’s first IVC filter put on the market.

Cook IVC Filter February 2026 Settlement News

Judge Young has encouraged settlement discussions, but there have been no formal announcements of a global resolution. In 2025, Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker was assigned as a settlement mediator. These are confidential procedures in attempts that each plaintiff has their case evaluated individually. While plaintiffs do not appear before Judge Baker personally, their attorney discusses the specific facts of the case. These include a long list of all personal injuries (past-present-future) and any financial losses.

Appeal Decision

There was a decision in Parton v. Cook Medical, LLC, No. 22-2256 (7th Cir. 2023). At issue was the definition of an “injury.” IVC filters can migrate and fracture, resulting in injured organs and the need for removal. Sometimes the filter may stubbornly lodge in the vena cava wall but not pose any immediate risk, although may pose future risk. The appeals court side-stepped the main issue and instead addressed the claim value. These suits are in federal court and plaintiffs must contend that their damages exceed $75,000.00. Otherwise, the lawsuit is filed in a state court.

To sort this out, Judge Young has asked all plaintiffs to submit “Claim Categorization Forms.” (See Below) Each plaintiff will now have the chance to explain the exact condition of the filter and related injuries, as well as certify the claim exceeds $75,000.00.

Case Categorization Forms

IVC filters fail in different ways and cause different injuries. The Form has seven categories. These range from “product-in-place” to wrongful death injuries. Medical records are attached to the form. Filters fail by fracturing, migrating and tilting. An injury can result in one or more repair surgeries. There are two types of surgeries:

1. “Open Surgery”: surgeons open your stomach or chest area. The surgeon removes the filter in a complicated procedure to extract the filter. This leaves a scar. These cases may be the highest settlement category.
2.  “Percutaneous ‘Perc’ removal”: An interventional radiologist enters a leg or neck vein with a catheter to retrieve the filter. The filter is hopefully collapsed into a sheath. If the filter is struck, you will be rescheduled for an open removal. The perc removal may get most of the filter out but fractured pieces may not be retrievable.

The Allegations Against Cook IVC Filters

There is ongoing litigation against Cook for injuries caused by their IVC Filters. Allegations include (but not limited to):

• Poor/defective design
• Presenting an unreasonable risk of migration of the device
• Presenting an unreasonable risk of perforation and damage to the vena cava wall
• Unreasonable and carless manufacturing
• Poor strength and structure integrity of design
• Failure to warn

Read more about information and potential defects of Cook IVC Filters HERE.

Our Defective Medical Device Managing Attorney, David B. Rheingold

David B. Rheingold is a nationally recognized trial attorney and managing partner whose practice is devoted exclusively to complex drug, medical device, and toxic exposure litigation. For more than 30 years, he has represented individuals harmed by dangerous products, playing a leading role in high-profile cases involving Paragard IUDs, Camp Lejeune groundwater contamination, defective hernia mesh, IVC filters, Johnson & Johnson talc, and Roundup cancer claims, as well as landmark mass tort settlements including DePuy and Stryker hip implants, Benicar, and NuvaRing. Known for his hands-on approach, David works closely with medical and scientific experts to build strong, individualized cases, is admitted in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers for his leadership in mass tort and product liability litigation.