Bard PowerPort

The Bard PowerPort MDL 3081 (In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation) has entered active bellwether trials before Judge David G. Campbell in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, with approximately 3,044–3,734 federal cases pending as of mid-2026. On March 5, 2026, Judge Campbell denied nearly all of Bard's summary judgment motions, preserving plaintiffs' design defect and failure-to-warn claims. The first bellwether trial, Cook v. Becton Dickinson (an infection case), concluded in May 2026 with a defense verdict on failure-to-warn and consumer-fraud claims, but the jury deadlocked on the design-defect question. The second bellwether, Divelbliss v. Becton Dickinson—the first to squarely test the catheter fracture theory—opened August 18, 2026, with four additional bellwether trials scheduled through February 2027.

MDL 3081 is in active bellwether phase before Senior Judge David G. Campbell in D. Ariz. The second bellwether trial, Divelbliss v. Becton Dickinson, concluded September 2026 with a $40 million plaintiff verdict on catheter fracture claims. Three additional bellwether trials are scheduled: October 13, 2026; December 1, 2026; and February 2, 2027.

More than 3,700 federal cases pending in MDL 3081 as of August 2026, with additional state court filings. Device widely distributed for chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, and parenteral nutrition. No mandatory recall; devices remain in use. CDC identifies indwelling central lines as among the best-documented infection risks in the device category.

• District of Arizona

  MDL 3081, In re: Bard PowerPort Products Liability Litigation, presided over by Judge David G. Campbell. Federal docket exceeds 3,700 cases as of August 2026, with more than 1,000 added since January 2026. First bellwether trial concluded April 2026 with defense verdict on warning and consumer-fraud claims.

• Nationwide — oncology and infusion centers

  Bard PowerPort devices implanted for chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics, IV nutrition, and frequent blood draws. Claims allege barium sulfate polyurethane catheter degradation leading to fracture, migration, infection, thrombosis, and cardiac/pulmonary injury. No device recall or FDA safety communication issued.

• FDA MAUDE database

  Thousands of adverse event reports filed for Bard PowerPort devices, including catheter fractures, infections, and deaths. Reports document device failures requiring explant, emergency intervention, and hospitalization.

• State courts nationwide

  Additional cases proceeding outside MDL 3081. Statutes of limitation vary by state and depend on injury discovery date. Filing windows may be shorter than anticipated; active intake required to preserve claims.

• Cancer treatment centers — pediatric and adult

  12-year study of 4,920 central lines (including ports) in cancer patients found 3.6% symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis rate. Highest risk in certain catheter types, younger patients, and prior clot history.

MDL 3081 before Judge David Campbell in D. Ariz. has 2,694+ cases as of January 6, 2026. First bellwether trial scheduled April 21, 2026. Sources indicate 2-3 year SOL typical for most states; Florida provides 4 years. No federal preemption found; 510(k) clearance does not preempt state law claims. No tolling agreement cited in sources. Intake must verify: (1) Bard PowerPort model implanted, (2) date of implantation, (3) date of first complication/symptom, (4) date of diagnosis linking injury to device. Primary injuries: fracture, migration, infection, thrombosis, vascular injury, embolism.