Injuries caused by inferior vena cava (IVC) filters can easily be fatal. Those who survive may suffer permanent disabilities. Surgery to remove a defective IVC filter is very dangerous and in some cases the filter cannot be removed. If you have a defective IVC filter that cannot be removed, serious injuries or death can occur at any time. The value of your claim will depend on the unique circumstances in your case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those which carry a specific dollar value. That includes your medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Your existing, or past, economic damages are pretty straightforward. Calculating your future economic damages is more complicated and requires the help of medical experts, economists, and other experts.
In calculating your future economic damages, your attorney must establish factors such as:
- Whether your injuries are expected to be permanent
- If you will need further medical treatment for your IVC filter injuries or for secondary conditions
- If you can continue to earn a living and if it will be as much as you earned pre-injury
- If you will need other assistance and equipment due to impairments caused by your injuries
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages are the losses that do not have a specific dollar value. These are the very personal harms and losses that are typically far more meaningful to IVC filter injury victims than the money they have lost. Examples of noneconomic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
If you or someone you love has been harmed by an IVC filter, please talk to an experienced defective medical device attorney right away to learn more about your rights and potential compensation.
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