(833) 916-1189
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Paragard IUD Lawsuit

Guardian Legal Network is not currently processing claims for this lawsuit.

Paragard Lawsuit

Over the years, several devices have been developed to provide women with the ability to prevent pregnancy. One important invention is the intrauterine device (IUD). The usage of this contraception method has increased significantly over the past 20 years due to its almost 100% effectiveness rate. A commonly used brand is the Paragard IUD (T380, T380A, tcu380A) made by Teva Pharmaceuticals.

With the rising use of these IUD devices, there has also been a rise in reports of unexpected side effects and complications. Women who have been experiencing these side effects have reported these devices moving inside their bodies or even breaking. Additional cases reported having pieces of the device being left inside the body even after the device was removed. These small pieces left inside the body can lead to perforation of organs and the need for surgical removal.

Lawyers around the country are taking on cases from women who have been seriously injured by Paragard and other IUDs. Manufacturers who potentially knew of these risks but failed to warn users should be held fully accountable. The Guardian Legal Network helps victims of Paragard find qualified legal representation. To connect with an experienced Paragard lawyer, contact us today.

What is Paragard?

As the only non-hormonal IUD option, Paragard provides long-term birth control for women. It uses copper technology to produce a reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs, thereby preventing pregnancy. Paragard has been shown to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.

Dangerous Paragard Complications & Side Effects

The following injuries are associated with Paragard IUDs:

  • Breakage of the device, requiring surgery
  • Device “stuck” in the uterus
  • Device migration
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Infections
  • Injury or inflammation in the body due to copper 
  • Organ Damage
  • Scarring
  • Uterus perforation

Invasive procedures may be required to recover pieces that have been broken off of the Paragard IUD.

In more extreme cases, the patient may require either a:

  • Laparoscopy
  • Laparotomy (a C-section type procedure to remove the pieces)
  • Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and causes permanent infertility)

Some pieces may become embedded in the uterine wall or travel elsewhere. This could lead to severe complications and adverse events, such as:

  • Infection
  • Infertility
  • Inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease)
  • Organ perforation, uterine rupture, and other organ damage
  • Severe menstrual pain, cramps, heavy bleeding, and spotting

Breakage of Paragard IUD arms usually occurs when the doctor is removing the device. But for some women, the arms break off long before the IUD gets removed.

Paragard Removal Complications

In a report given to the FDA’s Medical Product Safety Network, one patient had her Paragard IUD removed at a clinic eight years after implantation. When the IUD was removed, it was missing the copper coil from the stem of the unit. The copper on the device’s arms was still intact, but no copper remained on the arm.

According to Paragard’s website, some women experience discomfort during removal. In rare cases, the IUD may be challenging to remove because it becomes stuck in the uterus, in which case, surgery may be required to remove the Paragard IUD.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Linked to Paragard

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) happens when symptoms of a brain tumor are exhibited in a person, but no actual tumor is present. Individuals experience pressure in the skull that continues to rise, and other physical symptoms of a brain tumor manifest. There have been studies that demonstrate a link between PTC and the use of a Paragard IUD.

Symptoms of PTC include:

  • Back, neck, or shoulder pain
  • Dizziness, nausea, vomiting
  • Intense headaches that begin behind the eyes
  • Light flashes
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Vision problems and/or blindness
  • Whooshing sound in the head that pulses with the heartbeat

Women File Paragard Lawsuits

Health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and perforations requiring expensive surgeries are being reported in serious cases. Paragard lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturer by patients who have experienced broken or migrating units.

A growing number of women in the U.S. have sought legal counsel from attorneys to determine whether Paragard’s manufacturer produced an unsafe product and failed to notify patients of the potentially dangerous effects like brain injury. Paragard lawyers are investigating allegations that claim:

  • The company failed to warn doctors, medical providers, and consumers about the possible risks involved
  • The company knew about the dangers but did not take appropriate action
  • The company marketed and distributed the device as safe and effective birth control

Paragard Case Updates

  • September 2020 – With a growing number of Paragard IUD lawsuits being filed throughout the federal court system, Paragard plaintiffs have filed a request to centralize the litigation before one U.S. District Judge for organized pretrial proceedings. The cases will be consolidated and brought before one judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for pretrial proceedings. This decision will help avoid conflicting pretrial rulings from different courts, prevent duplicative discovery, and streamline the litigation process for common witnesses, parties, and the judicial system.
  • December 2020 – The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a transfer order (PDF), confirming that establishing federal multidistrict litigation is appropriate, and decided that cases filed throughout the federal court system will all be transferred to U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May in the Northern District of Georgia. The name of the MDL is “In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation,” and the MDL number is 2974. For all of the 55 complaints pending in 29 different district courts, they all include the claim that Paragard is a defective medical device because it is prone to breaking during removal. 

Eligibility for Paragard Lawsuit

For women who have suffered Paragard injuries, you may be able to pursue legal action. Specific factors that determine eligibility to file a Paragard lawsuit include:

  • Reasons the patient decided to use Paragard versus other methods of contraception
  • If the device was removed earlier than anticipated
  • Any complications when the IUD was removed
  • Hospitalization needed to treat an infection or to repair or remove a perforated organ surgically
  • Whether the IUD has been subject to a recall or safety alert
  • Warnings issued about Paragard

A Paragard lawyer will also determine eligibility based on the following complications:

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Paragard IUD broke or fractured and caused injury
  • Paragard IUD complications required surgery
  • Paragard IUD migrated, causing injury
  • Unable to remove or retrieve Paragard IUD

Compensation in a Paragard Lawsuit

The damages you may be able to recover will depend on the details of your particular situation, as every case is unique. Several monetary and non-monetary damages can arise in a Paragard lawsuit:

  • Medical expenses – This includes hospital and doctor visits, surgery costs, ultrasound imaging, antibiotics to treat infections, physical therapy, and future medical expenses for ongoing care.
  • Pain and suffering – Plaintiffs may be eligible for financial compensation for the pain, suffering, anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life due to Paragard-related injuries. It is important to calculate these damages with a Paragard Lawyer. 
  • Loss of consortium – If an injury has harmed one’s relationship with his or her spouse or partner, these damages could help cover loss of companionship, loss of affection, and loss of support.
  • Loss of wages – This includes any income lost due to the plaintiff missing work and any loss of future earnings.

Proving the value of these losses is very challenging without the help of a licensed Paragard lawyer.

Get Help From a Paragard Lawyer

Here at The Guardian Legal Network, we want to help you take legal action against negligent companies that profit while you suffer injuries from their products. Helping you reverse the negative and getting you on the path to recovery through financial compensation is our top priority.

Contact us to find an experienced defective medical device lawyer who can help you take legal action.

References

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions. The content provided on this site, such as documents, text, graphics, images, videos, or other materials, are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition or for any questions you may have regarding a health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site.

 
Menu

Contact Us Contact Us