Case research · Sources checked October 1, 2026
Bard PowerPort implanted port catheter products liability MDL
Plaintiffs allege that the catheter component of Bard implanted ports is manufactured with a barium sulfate concentration that is too high, which they claim reduces the catheter's material integrity. The complaints claim this can lead to catheter fracture, migration, infection and thrombosis, and that defendants did not adequately test the devices or monitor and report adverse events.
Every line on this page is checked against the court docket and the regulators involved. We do not decide whether you are part of this case or match you with a lawyer. What we do is help you get the medical records that matter, from any provider.
- Status
- Active
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
- Docket
- MDL No. 3081; master docket 2:23-md-03081-DGC
- Judge
- Hon. David G. Campbell
- Started
- August 8, 2023
- Defendants
- Becton, Dickinson and Company, C.R. Bard, Inc., Bard Access Systems, Inc.
Where it stands
As of October 1, 2026
The MDL remains pending before Judge Campbell with 4,140 actions pending (4,420 total historically) per the JPML's October 1, 2026 pending-MDL report. The court selected six Bellwether Group 1 cases (CMO 35, May 12, 2025) and in CMO 42 (Dec. 5, 2025) set trial windows: Cook (Apr. 21–May 8, 2026), Miller (July 7–24, 2026), Divelbliss (Aug. 18–Sept. 4, 2026), Lattanzio (Oct. 13–30, 2026), Hicks (Dec. 1–18, 2026) and Sorensen (Feb. 2–19, 2027). The most recent order on the court's public MDL page is CMO 46 (Mar. 20, 2026), setting the Cook final pretrial conference for April 9, 2026; trial outcomes are not posted there.[9]
The complaint
What is alleged, and what is not decided
Plaintiffs allege that the catheter component of Bard implanted ports is manufactured with a barium sulfate concentration that is too high, which they claim reduces the catheter's material integrity. The complaints claim this can lead to catheter fracture, migration, infection and thrombosis, and that defendants did not adequately test the devices or monitor and report adverse events. Later-transferred cases add allegations about the port reservoir (polyoxymethylene degradation and 'palpation bumps'). These are allegations; no court has found liability on an MDL-wide basis.
On the record
What the regulators and the court have said
- 01
FDA's device recall database lists Bard Peripheral Vascular recalls of specific PowerPort lots, e.g. Z-1550-2021 (PowerPort duo M.R.I. Implantable Port, REF 1829500), a Class 2 recall initiated March 25, 2021 for catheters that 'may experience difficulty in flushing, infusion, and/or aspiration, and septum dislodgements'; status Terminated April 10, 2023. None of the 26 PowerPort recall entries in openFDA cites the barium-sulfate/fracture theory alleged in the MDL.[10]
- 02
openFDA MAUDE (device/event) returns adverse-event reports with brand name 'POWERPORT' categorized as Injury (5,104), Malfunction (3,460) and Death (245), data last updated 2026-09-29. MAUDE reports are unverified and do not establish that a device caused an event.[11]
Timeline
How the case has moved
JPML centralizes 10 actions (plus 38 potential tag-alongs in 25 districts) in the District of Arizona before Judge David G. Campbell.[1]
Case Management Order No. 1 appoints plaintiffs' co-lead counsel, executive committee and steering committee.[4]
JPML transfers three additional cases (Hunter, Meadors, Franks) over Bard's objection, holding reservoir-related theories share common facts with the MDL.[2]
CMO 35 selects Bellwether Group 1: Miller, Cook, Hicks (agreed), Divelbliss, Lattanzio, Sorensen (court-selected), with James as alternate; mix of infection, thrombus and fracture cases.[5]
CMO 42 adopts revised bellwether trial schedule running from Cook (April 21, 2026) through Sorensen (February 2027).[6]
CMO 44 sets the Cook bellwether final pretrial conference for April 9, 2026 and confirms jury trial to begin April 21, 2026.[7]
CMO 46 (25th case management conference): Cook trial logistics; court declines to withdraw Miller from the bellwether pool; Divelbliss expert deposition set for April 10, 2026.[8]
JPML pending-MDL report lists MDL 3081 as pending before Judge Campbell with 4,140 actions pending.[9]
If this involves you
The records that matter, and who has them.
Whatever you decide to do next, you will be asked for these. They are yours by law, and most providers have up to 30 days to send them once they have your signed request.
Implant / device identification card and operative implant log (manufacturer, model, REF/catalog number, lot number, UDI)
Identifies whether the port is a Bard device and which catheter material (polyurethane, silicone, Groshong) — the MDL bellwethers were sorted by catheter type
Held by: Patient (wallet card); implanting hospital or surgery center (implant log, sticker sheet in the chart)
Operative report for port placement
Documents date of implantation, implanting physician, device placed and vein used
Held by: Implanting hospital / interventional radiology or surgical practice
Imaging (chest X-ray, CT, venogram, fluoroscopy) and radiology reports
Shows catheter fracture, migration of a fragment, or thrombus; dates the finding
Held by: Hospital radiology department / imaging center
Explant or revision operative report and retrieval-procedure records
Documents removal of the port or retrieval of a fractured fragment and the condition of the device
Held by: Hospital where removal occurred
Microbiology and infectious-disease records (blood cultures, catheter-tip cultures, antibiotic treatment)
Documents a catheter-related bloodstream infection and its timing relative to the port
Held by: Treating hospital / infectious-disease clinic / laboratory
Pathology report and device-retention records for the explanted device
The physical device and pathology findings are central evidence in device cases; CMO 42 references 'Device History Record' production
Held by: Hospital pathology department (device may be returned to manufacturer — ask the hospital whether it was retained)
We send the request, follow up with the provider, and deliver the records to you. We don't take case details here and we never share your records with a law firm unless you tell us to.
Questions people ask
Straight answers, with sources
Is the Bard PowerPort lawsuit real?
Yes. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL No. 3081, In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation, on August 8, 2023 and assigned it to Judge David G. Campbell in the District of Arizona. As of the JPML's October 1, 2026 report, 4,140 actions were pending in the MDL.[1]
What do the lawsuits allege?
Plaintiffs allege the catheter portion of Bard implanted ports contains too high a concentration of barium sulfate, which they claim weakens the catheter and can lead to fracture, migration, infection and thrombosis. Defendants dispute these allegations and the claims have not been decided on an MDL-wide basis.[1]
Have there been trials?
The court scheduled six bellwether trials, beginning with Cook (April 21, 2026) and running through Sorensen (February 2027), per CMO 42 and CMO 44. The court's public MDL page did not, as of October 12, 2026, post verdicts or judgments from those trials, so outcomes should be confirmed on the docket.[6]
Did FDA recall the PowerPort for fracture?
FDA's recall database shows Bard Peripheral Vascular recalls of specific PowerPort lots for reasons such as flushing/aspiration difficulty and incorrect kit components (e.g., Z-1550-2021, Class 2, March 2021). We did not find an FDA recall entry based on the barium-sulfate/fracture theory alleged in the MDL.[10]
Which records identify my port?
The implant card you received at placement and the hospital's implant log/operative report list the manufacturer, model, REF and lot numbers. If you no longer have the card, request the operative report and implant record from the facility where the port was placed.[5]
Sources
Where every fact on this page comes from
Primary sources only: court orders, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, federal regulators and state attorneys general. Each entry shows the day we opened it. This is reference material, not legal or medical advice.
- [1]MDL No. 3081 Transfer Order (Document 65)
JPML · jpml.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Centralizes Bard port catheter cases in D. Ariz. before Judge Campbell on Aug. 8, 2023 and summarizes the barium-sulfate allegations.
- [2]MDL No. 3081 Transfer Order (Feb. 5, 2024)
JPML · jpml.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Transfers Hunter, Meadors and Franks to the MDL over Bard's objection about reservoir theories.
- [3]In re Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation (court MDL page)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Lists CMOs 1–46 and related orders with PDF links; latest posted order is CMO 46 (Mar. 20, 2026).
- [4]Case Management Order No. 1 (Doc. 41)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Appoints plaintiffs' leadership on Sept. 19, 2023.
- [5]Case Management Order No. 35 (Doc. 3513)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Selects six Bellwether Group 1 cases and one alternate on May 12, 2025.
- [6]Case Management Order No. 42 (Doc. 6388)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Sets the six bellwether trial windows from April 2026 to February 2027.
- [7]Case Management Order No. 44 (Doc. 6875)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Judge David G. Campbell sets Cook final pretrial conference (Apr. 9, 2026) and trial start (Apr. 21, 2026).
- [8]Case Management Order No. 46 (Doc. 7660)
U.S. District Court, D. Ariz. · azd.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Mar. 20, 2026 order on Cook trial logistics, Miller bellwether status and Divelbliss deadlines.
- [9]Pending MDL Dockets by Actions Pending (Report Date 10/1/2026)
JPML · jpml.uscourts.gov · opened October 12, 2026
MDL 3081 pending in D. Ariz. (Campbell) with 4,140 actions pending, 4,420 total.
- [10]Medical Device Recall Z-1550-2021 (PowerPort duo M.R.I. Implantable Port)
FDA (accessdata.fda.gov) via openFDA device/recall · accessdata.fda.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Class 2 recall initiated Mar. 25, 2021 for flushing/aspiration difficulty and septum dislodgement; terminated Apr. 10, 2023.
- [11]openFDA device/event count for brand POWERPORT by event type
FDA openFDA · api.fda.gov · opened October 12, 2026
Injury 5,104; Malfunction 3,460; Death 245 (data last updated 2026-09-29; unverified reports).