Every year, over 5 million central lines are inserted in the U.S.—a growing number being PICC lines and midlines. These devices are defectively designed. They expose patients to an unreasonably high risk of blood clots and infections, even though safer, coated alternatives have been available since 2013.
A 2020 study involving 3,560 patients found alarming outcomes:
Another 2016 study showed that 37.5% of patients had a catheter-associated blood clot within 5–14 days—far higher than manufacturer warnings suggest. Blood thinners did little to prevent these clots.
What Are PICC Lines and Midlines?
Common Uses:
Complications We Litigate
We represent patients of all ages—from neonates to seniors—who’ve suffered from:
This is a product liability lawsuit. Manufacturers have ignored the availability of advanced coatings that reduce clotting and infections. Instead, they’ve continued to market outdated, unsafe devices—putting profits over patient safety.
The Real Cost of PICC Line and Midline Injuries
Catheter-related complications cost the U.S. healthcare system $4.5 billion annually.
These injuries aren’t minor:
Manufacturers Must Be Held Accountable
Since 2012, manufacturers have known their polyurethane and silicone catheters degrade, migrate, clog, crack, and cause infections. They also knew about safer coating technologies—and still refused to use them. That choice demands accountability.
Manufacturers include:
These companies failed to reduce inflammation, clot formation, and degradation risks—despite available solutions.
Compensation May Include:
Neonatal Risks
Uncoated PICC lines in premature infants can lead to neonatal sepsis, which is a major contributor to cerebral palsy. Infections during this vulnerable stage can severely impact brain development. Prompt treatment and safer catheter design could prevent these devastating outcomes.
You Have Rights. We’re Here to Fight for Them.
We want to hear your story.
If you believe that you or a loved one have experienced a PICC line, midline, or central-line intravenous catheter-related infection, you may be entitled to compensation.
“Polyurethane PICC lines are defective because they do little to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections. To date, there has not been a reported case of septic shock from an infected PICC line using super-hydrophilic technology,” states Greg Vigna, MD, JD, national sepsis attorney. Dr. Greg Vigna, national sepsis attorney and PICC line attorney, states, “Super-hydrophilic PICC […]
“Hospital medicine requires both nurses and doctors to understand the serious risks of acute phlebitis from peripheral IVs and to promptly assess and treat complications as they arise,” states Greg Vigna, MD, JD, Board Certified in Physical Medicine. Dr. Greg Vigna, national PICC line attorney, states, “Peripheral vein catheters can cause pain with varying degrees of inflammation […]
“Studies that examine the benefits of superhydrophillic catheters, which reduce blood clots and blood stream infections caused by mid-lines and PICC lines would be welcome, as this study compares one defective product to another,” states Greg Vigna, MD, JD, national sepsis attorney. Dr. Greg Vigna, MD, JD, national sepsis attorney and product liability attorney, states, “There […]
Dr. Greg Vigna, is the principal of Greg Vigna, MD, JD, PLC, a California personal injury law firm, and his law firm has a non-exclusive referral relationship with the attorneys listed within this site. Dr. Vigna, co-counsels with attorneys across the country.