What the Lawsuits Allege
The Bard PowerPort is an implanted port catheter used to deliver medication, such as chemotherapy, into the bloodstream. Lawsuits allege a design defect makes the catheter prone to fracture and migrate within the body and to cause infections and blood clots, and that Bard failed to adequately warn patients and doctors of those risks.
The alleged failure modes — a piece of the catheter breaking off or moving — are the kind that can require additional surgery, which is central to the injury claims.
The MDL and the First Trial
The cases are consolidated in multidistrict litigation in the District of Arizona (MDL 3081), with more than 3,000 lawsuits pending. In the first bellwether trial in 2026, a jury returned a defense verdict for Bard and its parent, finding no liability and concluding the plaintiff’s infection was not caused by the device. Bellwether trials are test cases; one defense verdict does not end an MDL, but it shapes how both sides value the remaining claims.
Additional bellwether trials are scheduled, which will further test the causation and warning theories.
How These Device Claims Work
A device claim generally turns on defect and causation — connecting the specific device to a specific injury with medical records and expert testimony — so these proceed as individual cases within the MDL rather than as a consumer class. Federal rules for approved devices also shape which claims can go forward.
Before You Act
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Bard PowerPort Lawsuit: The Catheter MDL and First Trial: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this case and your legal options.
What is the Bard PowerPort lawsuit about?
Allegations that the implanted PowerPort catheter can fracture, migrate, and cause infections and clots, and that Bard failed to warn adequately. The claims have not been proven.
Has there been a Bard PowerPort verdict?
Yes. The first bellwether trial in 2026 ended in a defense verdict for Bard, with the jury finding no liability. It does not resolve the thousands of other pending cases.
Is it a class action?
No. The cases are individual lawsuits coordinated in an MDL. Device-injury claims depend on individual medical proof and causation.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case status, eligibility criteria, and any amounts described are as reported at the date shown and may change. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your own situation.