A federal jury in Arizona has awarded $40 million to a woman who suffered serious injuries after the catheter component of her Bard PowerPort fractured and migrated into her heart. The September 4, 2026 verdict is the first plaintiff verdict in the federal Bard implanted port catheter litigation and represents an important development for patients who have experienced similar PowerPort failures.
The case, Divelbliss v. Becton, Dickinson and Company, was the second bellwether trial in the Bard PowerPort multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 3081, pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
PowerPort Catheter Fractured and Migrated to Plaintiff’s Heart
According to the evidence presented at trial, Kimberly Divelbliss received a Bard PowerPort with a Groshong silicone catheter. Approximately two years after implantation, the catheter fractured and a portion of it traveled through her bloodstream and became lodged in her heart.
The complication required surgery to remove the catheter fragment and was associated with cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, additional cardiac procedures, and ongoing medication.
After a three-week trial, the nine-person jury unanimously found in favor of Divelbliss on claims that the device was defectively designed and that Bard failed to adequately warn about its risks. The jury awarded $40 million in compensatory damages. It did not award punitive damages.
What the Verdict Means for Other PowerPort Patients
The verdict does not automatically determine the outcome of other Bard PowerPort lawsuits. Bellwether trials are individual cases selected from a larger multidistrict litigation to test the evidence and provide both sides with information about how juries may evaluate common claims.
The Divelbliss verdict is nevertheless significant because catheter fracture and migration are among the central injuries alleged in many PowerPort cases. Thousands of Bard implanted port catheter lawsuits are currently being coordinated in the Arizona MDL, and additional bellwether trials are scheduled.
Doyle APC represents individuals with Bard PowerPort injury claims in the ongoing federal litigation, although our firm was not among the attorneys who tried the Divelbliss case. Our firm continues to investigate cases involving PowerPort catheter fracture, migration, blood clots, infections, cardiac complications, and surgical removal of failed devices.
Injured by a Bard PowerPort?
Patients who experienced a PowerPort fracture or other serious complication should determine the manufacturer and model of the implanted device. This information can often be found on a patient identification card, implantation records, or operative reports.
For additional information about the litigation, qualifying injuries, and how to identify a Bard device, visit our Bard PowerPort lawsuit page.
Doyle APC is currently reviewing Bard PowerPort injury claims nationwide. Consultations are free and confidential, and there is no attorney fee unless we obtain a recovery.
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