Paragard IUD Lawsuit Updates
Paragard IUD MDL Surpasses 3,250 Lawsuits Amid Rising Filings
The Paragard IUD multidistrict litigation (MDL) now includes over 3,250 pending lawsuits, reflecting a significant increase of 216 new cases filed in April alone—the largest monthly surge in recent memory. As awareness of legal rights grows among women and families affected by Paragard IUD complications, the number of lawsuits is expected to continue rising. If you have a Paragard IUD lawsuit or believe you may have a claim, contact us for a free consultation to explore your legal options.
Braxton Case Selected as First Paragard Trial
The Braxton case, set as the first trial in the Paragard IUD litigation, centers on injuries sustained during the device's removal. Braxton had the Paragard IUD implanted in November 2014. However, during its removal in late 2019, the device fractured, leaving fragments that required additional surgery to remove. The lawsuit alleges that Braxton suffered permanent injuries, including reproductive harm, lasting impairments, and disfigurement. This case highlights significant safety concerns surrounding the Paragard IUD, marking it as a pivotal bellwether trial for the broader litigation.
Momentum Grows in Paragard IUD Litigation as Bellwether Trials Approach
The Paragard IUD litigation now includes nearly 3,000 pending cases, with judges allowing key arguments to move forward despite defense attempts to dismiss claims. The first bellwether trial, Braxton v. Teva, has been set, marking a significant step in this high-stakes MDL. Braxton, a defense-selected case, centers on a plaintiff who alleges permanent injuries after her Paragard IUD fractured during removal. Defense picks often aim to highlight weaker claims, but a plaintiff victory in this trial could significantly strengthen the broader litigation. With discovery advancing and settlement pressure mounting, the Paragard lawsuits underscore serious design flaws and a failure to warn that have put thousands at risk.
Court Denies Reconsideration
The MDL judge denied motions for reconsideration from six plaintiffs whose cases were dismissed with prejudice for failing to comply with Case Management Orders on Plaintiff Fact Sheets. A show-cause order issued on December 30, 2024, gave plaintiffs 14 days to respond, but none did. Despite multiple warnings, the court found no good cause to reinstate their cases. The judge emphasized that strict compliance is necessary to manage the complex litigation efficiently. While dismissal with prejudice is a last resort, repeated non-compliance in large MDLs will lead to case dismissal to ensure procedural integrity.
About The Paragard IUD Lawsuit
Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical regarding the Paragard intrauterine device (IUD). Lawsuits allege the copper-based contraceptive resulted in serious injury to patients due to a suspected design flaw that causes it to break into pieces during removal.
Affected patients can suffer from infections, organ damage, internal bleeding, infertility, and even death. These devastating outcomes often result in significant pain and suffering, permanent damage, and further treatment or surgery to correct.
The lawsuits have been consolidated under multi-district litigation (MDL), allowing affected individuals to band together to hold these companies accountable. If you or a loved one was harmed by the Paragard IUD, you may be eligible to join the MDL. Read on to discover if you qualify and how to take the first steps today.
Paragard Concerns Fuel Recalls
Paragard is a t-shaped, copper IUD placed in the uterus to provide long-term contraception. As it uses copper rather than hormones to prevent pregnancy, Paragard is often suggested as a safer alternative to patients wishing to avoid hormonal birth control. In reality, the Paragard IUD is associated with a number of health risks, which have been linked to thousands of injuries and at least 17 deaths.
The Paragard lawsuit isn’t the first time the device’s safety has been called into question. Certain Paragard lot numbers were recalled in 2014 when tests indicated the affected devices might not be fully sterile. In 2019, the FDA reprimanded CooperSurgical for an ad that made false and misleading claims while neglecting to inform viewers of Paragard’s risks. The IUD was added to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) in 2021 after reports of device breakage increased.
What Is The Focus Of The Lawsuit?
Patients injured by the Paragard IUD hope to hold Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical accountable for their alleged negligence.
The Paragard IUD lawsuits include the following allegations:
- Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical neglected to inform patients and health providers about Paragard IUD risks.
- The companies created and sold a device with inherent design flaws that cause it to break upon removal, resulting in serious health complications.
Plaintiffs believe this negligence resulted in the injuries they and many others sustained while using Paragard and during device removal.
The Risks of Paragard
Device breakage is the basis of most of the Paragard IUD litigation. To remove the device from a patient’s uterus, a doctor must pull on the removal cord to bring the IUD out of the vaginal canal. Ideally, Paragard should come out in one piece, but it has broken upon removal in a concerning number of cases. When this happens, plastic pieces can become lodged in the uterus, cervix, and vagina, causing severe pain, hemorrhage, infection, and more.
Paragard is also associated with device migration. This can lead to injury when the IUD migrates out of its intended position and into surrounding tissue. In rare cases, it can also result in a life-threatening condition called ectopic pregnancy.
Paragard works by creating a hostile environment that prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg. However, like all IUDs, it is not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Even a slight migration of the device can reduce its contraceptive abilities, allowing sperm to pass by and fertilize the egg. If the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus (typically in a fallopian tube), it can result in an ectopic pregnancy. This is a serious condition that can cause internal bleeding and death.
Who Is The Lawsuit For?
The Paragard IUD lawsuit is for any patient who received a Paragard IUD and experienced breakage of the device before or during its removal by a healthcare professional. The Paragard IUD must have been removed 10 years or less after its implantation, and patients must have suffered injuries due to the breakage.
Who Is Eligible For The Paragard IUD Lawsuit?
To qualify for the Paragard IUD lawsuit, you must meet several requirements. While every case is different and you should consult with an attorney to discuss your particular case, qualification standards generally include:
- You must have been implanted with a Paragard IUD by your healthcare provider.
- You must have experienced breakage of the IUD before or during its removal.
- You must have been injured as a result of the device breakage.
- The Paragard IUD must have been removed 10 years or less after its implantation.
Qualifying personal injuries due to the Paragard IUD include:
- Organ perforation or damage caused by broken pieces of the Paragard IUD
- Excessive internal bleeding resulting in severe blood loss
- Pregnancy complications, including ectopic pregnancy
- Infections, including pelvic inflammatory disease and sepsis
- Complications and injuries related to IUD migration or breakage
Other injuries that may qualify you for the lawsuit are:
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding and life-threatening blood loss
- Perforated uterus or cervix
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Infertility and pregnancy issues, including ectopic pregnancy
- Pain
- Menstrual bleeding or spotting
- Increased pain from menstrual cramps
- Pain during intercourse
- Infections
- Vaginal discharge
- Expulsion of the IUD from the uterus
Do I Have to Pay for an Attorney?
If you are considering joining the Paragard lawsuit after being injured by your IUD, you may be wondering about the costs of hiring an attorney. The good news is that most lawyers working on the Paragard lawsuit do not require payment upfront.
Rather, they work on a contingency fee basis, which means your attorney is paid a percentage of your compensation only if you win your case. This makes it possible for patients to retain legal counsel despite budget constraints, giving those affected the best chance of securing justice. Your lawyer can help if you have other questions about legal fees and how to pay them.
Lawsuit Time Limits
Called the statute of limitations, factors like the state you live in, when you discovered your injury, and more will define when you must file your claim. An attorney can determine which time limits apply to you and help you compile strong evidence to build a solid case before the deadline.
Paragard IUD attorneys are standing by to speak with you about whether you may qualify for the lawsuit. Fill out the form at the top of the page to speak with a lawyer in the OCA network who will guide you on your journey to justice.
Add Comment