Paragard intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been a popular long-term birth control solution for many women since its FDA approval in 1984.
However, recently, there has been a significant increase in lawsuits alleging that the Paragard IUD causes serious complications for its users.
Reported Problems With Paragard IUDs
Paragard IUD users have recently reported several concerning complications, including:
- Device breakage, particularly during removal.
- Pieces of the broken IUD are embedded in the uterus.
- Perforation of the uterus.
- Migration of broken IUD pieces to other organs.
These conditions can lead to severe pain, heavy bleeding, and infections and may require surgery to remove the broken IUD pieces. In some extreme cases, women have needed a hysterectomy to address the damage caused by a fractured Paragard IUD.
Victims are now seeking legal action, alleging that the IUDS are defective by design and prone to breakage risks that manufacturers did not disclose previously.
Understanding the Unique Risks of Paragard Copper IUDs
Copper IUDs like Paragard carry some unique risks compared to hormonal IUDs or other forms of birth control.
Heavier, longer menstrual cycles
The copper in Paragard allegedly intensifies menstrual bleeding and cramping, especially in the first 3-6 months after insertion. For some women, increased bleeding persisted beyond normal with Paragard use.
Higher expulsion rates
Paragard Copper IUDs also supposedly have slightly higher expulsion rates compared to hormonal IUDs. Expulsion is when the IUD partially or completely slips out of the uterus. It allegedly occurs in about 12-18% of copper Paragard IUD users compared to 2-10% of other copper IUD products and 1-3% for hormonal IUDs.
Potential copper allergy
Some plaintiffs have claimed Paragard Copper IUDs gave them allergies or increased sensitivity, causing severe pelvic pain and inflammation beyond what consumers typically encounter.
Potential interactions
According to lawsuits filed, Paragard Copper IUDs highly interact with certain antibiotics, NSAIDs, and supplements like Vitamin C and zinc that affect copper absorption or excretion.
Plaintiffs claim that Paragard manufacturers failed to warn them about these unique potential side effects and the risk factors of their IUD products, especially in light of the recent complications reported by some users.
Who is Affected, and How Long Has This Been an Issue?
Women who had Paragard IUDs implanted in 2005 or later and experienced complications like device breakage, perforation, or migration may be eligible to participate in the ongoing lawsuits.
Plaintiffs have shared harrowing stories of the impact these faulty IUDs have had on their lives.
One plaintiff reported that her Paragard IUD broke during removal, causing pieces to become embedded in her uterus. Despite undergoing surgery to remove the fragments, she continued to experience severe pain and ultimately had to have a hysterectomy, leaving her unable to have children in the future.
Stories like this highlight the long-term physical and emotional consequences that Paragard IUD complications can have on women's lives.
If you have experienced similar issues, check out our LAWSUIT SIGNUP PAGE to better understand your legal options.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit in a Nutshell
As of 2025, thousands of women have filed lawsuits against Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical, alleging that:
- Paragard IUDs are defective and prone to breakage.
- Teva and CooperSurgical failed to adequately warn healthcare providers and patients about the risks of device breakage and related complications.
- Both companies knew or should have known about the potential for the device to break and cause harm.
The courts have consolidated the cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, allowing for more efficient pre-trial proceedings and discovery.
Understanding Paragard IUD Allegations Lawsuits Further
At the heart of the Paragard IUD lawsuits are allegations that the device is defective, prone to breakage, and that the manufacturers failed to warn patients and doctors of these risks.
Defective Design
MDL Plaintiffs claim that Paragard's design makes it inherently prone to fracturing or breaking, especially during removal.
They contend that the manufacturing process involves welding two non-compatible metals (copper and a nickel alloy) together, creating a weak point that increases the likelihood of breakage.
To understand this, imagine a chain where most links are strong steel, but one link contains brittle metal. That weaker link is more likely to snap under pressure, compromising the integrity of the whole chain.
The lawsuits essentially argue that Paragard's welded joint acts like that weak link.
Failure to Warn
Another key claim asserts that Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical did not sufficiently warn patients and healthcare providers about the potential for device breakage and serious complications.
Federal statutes and state rules obligate drug and medical to provide consumers with adequate warnings about the risks associated with their products, including disclosing any known or reasonably foreseeable dangers, such as the possibility of breakage, perforation, or migration.
Paragard's labeling and information provided to doctors allegedly downplayed or omitted key information about these risks. Plaintiffs also contend that had the company informed patients and doctors, they might have chosen alternative birth control methods.
Causation and Liability
To succeed in a product liability lawsuit, Paragard plaintiffs must show evidence that the alleged design flaws directly contributed to its breaking or fracturing inside the plaintiff's body and that this breakage caused specific harms like organ perforation, migration, or the need for surgery.
Establishing causation and liability will require testimony from medical experts, analysis of scientific studies, and product testing data.
As the MDL lawsuits progress, several key developments, such as bellwether trials and potential settlements, are expected to shape the outcome for the many plaintiffs seeking justice and compensation for their Paragard IUD-related injuries.
Bellwether Trials and Potential Settlements
Paragard IUD bellwether trials are scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025, with a second group of MDL trials set for February 2, 2026. These initial trials serve as test cases, helping both sides gauge how juries may respond to the evidence and arguments presented.
The outcomes of the bellwether lawsuits will impact potential settlements significantly. If the plaintiffs prevail, the manufacturers may be more inclined to offer global settlements to avoid the risk and expense of numerous individual trials.
Do I Qualify for a Paragard IUD Lawsuit?
If you've experienced complications related to your Paragard IUD, you may qualify to join the ongoing lawsuits.
Generally, to be eligible, you must:
- Have had the Paragard IUD implanted in 2005 or later.
- Experienced complications such as device breakage, perforation, or migration.
- Required surgery or other medical interventions due to these complications.
However, each case is unique, and only a knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your situation and advise you on your legal options. Filing a lawsuit is also a complex process. So, understanding your rights and potential compensation is important, too.
OnlyClassActions can connect you with a Paragard attorney to support your claim and fight for the settlement you deserve.
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