Paragard Lawsuit – Get Your Lawyer Review

The manufacturers of Paragard market their IUD as being easy for the doctor to remove. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for a number of doctors and patients. Paragard lawsuits are being filed throughout the United States against the manufacturers (not doctors) claiming that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and The Cooper Companies, Inc. (i) designed, developed and marketed a defective birth control device and (ii) failed to warn doctors of the risk of device breakage.

The Paragard 380A is an IUD (intrauterine device) that has caused serious pain and suffering in many people across the country. If you are one of the thousands of women who have been injured by Paragard or suffered needless invasive procedures or surgical removal, we encourage you to keep reading and find out if you can file a Paragard lawsuit against the manufacturer for creating a defective contraceptive device.

Find Out if You Qualify For The Paragard Lawsuit – If you or a loved one has suffered complications from the copper intrauterine device Paragard T 380A, you should be aware that lawyers are currently filing product liability lawsuits against the manufacturers.

The majority of plaintiffs in the Paragard lawsuit include people who had to go through invasive procedures or surgeries after their doctor was unable to remove the device. Some of the procedures we have reported on include the following:

• Hysterectomy
• Hysteroscopy
• Laparoscopy
• Laparotomy

Some of the victims who have filed Paragard claims may not have had one of the aforementioned procedures but still have fractured pieces from the device still inside of their bodies.

Overview

Paragard IUD has been in circulation as a popular birth control method since the 1980s. However, it has recently grabbed headlines due to the filing of lawsuits that claim that the device is capable of breaking and resulting in organ perforation, causing irrevocable damage, pain, and trauma.

Paragard IUD is the only non-hormonal option available in the United States and is one of the five IUD varieties – Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, and Skyla. They work by utilizing the hormone levonorgestrel. The product is also the longest-running intrauterine contraceptive device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over 30 years.

What is Paragard IUD?

Paragard is a tiny intrauterine device (IUD) and a birth control device made out of plastic that utilizes copper instead of hormones in the female human body to prevent pregnancy. The chemical reaction produced by using copper IUD hinders the sperm’s ability to impregnate due to an inflammatory reaction. The device IUD requires doctor’s supervision for implantation and removal and can be done in one office visit. Paragard can be effective in long-term birth control for up to 10 years.

Approved by the FDA in 1984, Paragard IUD is manufactured and was designed by Teva Pharmaceuticals and is claimed to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Due to its one-of-a-kind mechanism, the birth control device has always been popular, but lately, it has been associated with some disturbing side effects, complications, and health problems upon removal of the copper IUD.

Side Effects & Complications of Paragard

According to the manufacturers, there are some common Paragard side effects that appear in the initial stage of using the IUD, but they tend to dissipate over time, usually within two to three months of use. These are some of the more severe consequences that may require medical attention:

• Anemia
• Spotting between period cycles
• Heavier and longer periods
• Vaginal discharge
• Expulsion
• Allergic reactions
• Painful sex
• Excessive cramps
• Difficulty in removing the device
• Perforation of the uterus
• Backache
• Dysmenorrhea
• Vaginitis
• Dyspareunia

Women have also reported cases of nausea, dizziness, feeling of pinching, and cramping for a few minutes after the medical device has been inserted. However, serious injuries have been reported by patients that include sepsis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, menstrual cycle pattern changes, or breakage issues.

It should be noted that there is no evidence that copper coil IUD can cause metal toxicity. There have been a few studies that address the complications of using an intrauterine device, but none of them points towards increased levels of copper in the body of women patients who were using the IUD for 24 months.

Birth Control Linked to Dangerous Brain Damage

There are have been some cases in which complications from the medical device have resulted in a brain injury or brain tumor called pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). Symptoms include the following:

• Vomiting, Dizziness, and Nausea
• Moderate to severe headaches
• Vision issues
• Ringing in the ears
• Seeing flashes of light
• Back, shoulder, and neck pain
• Blindness

PTC arises when there is an increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain. It is due to the body not absorbing enough amount or making more than necessary. When the fluid levels rise, the process increases pressure on the brain. It then compromises your vision as the optic nerve can swell up. The condition is also called intracranial hypertension (ICH).

Treatments can vary from surgical procedures to oral medication. It helps relieve the pressure and treat the optic nerve. There have been several studies that link increased cases of ICH with people using the Mirena as opposed to those who don’t.

Some patients who have developed PTC have filed product liability lawsuits. If you or your loved one has used a Paragard IUD and has suffered any kind of injury, then you should contact an attorney as you may be eligible to file a Paragard IUD lawsuit. Keep in mind that regardless of attorney advertising, always conduct your own research.

Everything to Know About Paragard IUD Lawsuit

Paragard IUD lawsuits first came to light in 2016. When Stephanie Ideus, a Nebraskan women, filed a lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals. Under the case review, it was found that upon removal, there was device breakage, and the patient had to undergo surgery to fix the injury to the uterus. In February 2019, the court made the decision in favor of Teva as it was decided that there were no important facts to argue either case. Ideus has filed an appeal; this ruling should not be deterred lawyers from filing a case.

Other women have also come forward with the same problem and claim that the plaintiffs failed to provide relevant information and warn about the probable injury. Lawsuits for Paragard also allege that Teva Pharmaceuticals’s advertising was misleading as it portrayed the medical device as safe and effective, whereas in the paragard lawsuit, it was claimed to be defective.

However, as detailed by Cooper Surgical lists, under the adverse events section, it does mention the risk of “device breakage”. Although, the adverse events section does not elaborate as to how often do the devices break. For standing instructions to doctors on the removal of Paragard IUD, it reads, “The threads can retract into the uterus or break, or Paragard can break, perforate the uterus, or be expelled.”

In December 2020, dozens of lawsuits were consolidated by a Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation across the Northern District of Georgia under Judge Leigh Martin May. The dates are yet to be scheduled.

Women have claimed to be at risk for the following injuries:

• Perforation of the cervix or uterus
• IUD pieces lodged or missing in organs
• Migration or navigation from the designated place
• Risk of infertility or complications in pregnancy
• Results in surgery for complete Paragard removal.
• Pain
• Broken Paragard devices that cannot be removed
• Infection

Other Paragard Lawsuits

Case Filed by Georgia Bowers

In September 2020, Georgia Bowers filed a case against Paragard device manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cooper Surgical. She started with Paragard IUD in January 2017 and visited her doctors in September 2017 for the removal of the device.

Due to some complications, an ultrasound revealed that the product was incorrectly positioned. After following every instruction provided by Paragard, doctors proceeded for removal, but upon removal, only a part was able to be retrieved. One copper arm was missing, and when healthcare workers tried to remove the part by colonoscopy, the procedure was unsuccessful.

The lawsuits state that Teva had the knowledge that there was significant risk involved due to a broken paragard and removal, but still made the firm decision of manufacturing, marketing, distributing, selling, and profiting from the copper devices, meant for women trying to prevent pregnancy.

Cases Filed by Carley Tredway

In September 2020, Carley Tredway also filed a case against Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cooper Surgical. The details are as follows:

She started using Paragard in 2008 and went to have it removed in 2018. Doctors followed the instructions, but one copper arm got stuck in the uterus, causing complications. It had to be removed via a surgery called hysteroscopy a month later. The plaintiffs allege that there was no information from Paragard manufacturers regarding the serious injuries that the copper device can cause, especially after being aware of the situation.

What is the Settlement Amount?

There is no information currently available on Paragard IUD settlements, and there has been no compensation awarded for injuries. However, during the Mirena IUD lawsuits, the company had to settle 4,600 claims for $12.2 million. If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit, then you can claim damages in the form of the following:

Medical Expenses –

Generally, surgery is required to limit uterus damage. If you have incurred any expenses in the form of doctor visits, procedure costs, drugs to treat infections, ultrasound imaging, future medical expenses to cover ongoing care, and physical therapy, then you can stake a claim.

Loss of Income –

This can include any loss of wages or income due to the injury caused, and you were not able to work. It also includes any foreseeable income loss for the future too.

Suffering and Pain –

If you have undergone surgery that resulted in trauma, pain, or suffering of any kind, you can claim damages for these too. However, without a firm’s help, they are not easy to estimate.

Loss of Consortium –

If the drugs or the ordeal has had a negative impact on your relationships, you can claim damages to recover the loss of companionship, support, and affection.

However, each situation is different, and the amount you will be able to recover depends on the ordeal and how much substance your story holds.

Has There Been a Paragard IUD Recall?

Paragard was approved by the FDA in 1984. Even after lawsuits, Paragard IUD is still available to purchase, and there is no recall. FDA has not issued any advisory against Paragard devices, but in April 2014, two batches were recalled for “lack of assurance of sterility.”

Is There a Class Action?

Currently, lawyers are filing a Paragard IUD lawsuit on behalf of individual women who have suffered injuries from using a Paragard device. There is no class action for Paragard injuries; although cases have been consolidated in Georgia, patient plaintiffs will be retaining their own attorneys, and each case will be treated as separate.

In these lawsuits, not all of them will go to trial, as attorneys will pick cases for bellwether trials. The outcome gives an idea to women about lawsuit value and compensation amount regarding the Paragard device.

What is an IUD?

Over the years, birth control methods have become more unique for women. People use birth control for a variety of reasons, including to balance hormones, but the purpose of Paragard 380A IUD is used to prevent pregnancy.

An IUD is a very small T-shaped device inserted into the patient’s uterus. It is usually no bigger than the size of a quarter. Aside from insertion, there is little to no maintenance with an IUD which makes it incredibly convenient for those who do not want to become pregnant.

According to Planned Parenthood, an IUD is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, and the stats show fewer than one in ten women will become pregnant with one.

The IUD is convenient after vaginal birth or cesarean and can be implanted during postpartum checkups. There are two different types of IUDs: hormonal release and copper.

• A hormonal release IUD does just what the name suggests; it releases hormones into the body.
• A copper IUD is unique in that sperm has a natural aversion to copper, so this is very effective at preventing sperm from reaching an egg. A copper IUD can be left in the body for up to 12 years.

The Paragard 380A is one such copper IUD. But just because it is convenient and low-maintenance doesn’t mean it comes with impunity. IUD’s come with an increased risk ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain.

Common side effects of a Paragard IUD may include: 

• Pain after insertion
• Cramping
• Backaches
• Irregular periods
• Heavy periods
• Spotting

The major side effects from a Paragard IUD, include:

• Perforation of the uterus
• Migration
• Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), or idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Infertility

Paragard Implantation and Removal Complications

As you can see, there are some major concerns about your physical health should you have a defective or failing IUD. One of these concerns is the T-shaped arm of the Paragard IUD can break off, either while inserted or during removal. This requires an invasive procedure to remove the broken pieces.

A doctor will usually perform what’s called a hysteroscopy– an endoscope inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity, to locate the pieces for retrieval. The doctor may also require a procedure that is similar to a cesarean section, or even a hysterectomy if the pieces are buried too deep. This would cause permanent infertility.

Remember, the IUD is as small as a quarter so the broken pieces can be hard to find. These pieces can embed themselves into the uterine wall, and even migrate elsewhere in the body.

This can cause excruciating pain, and side effects that may include:

• Severe menstrual pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Cramps
• Spotting
• Inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• Infection
• Organ perforation or damage to the organs
• Infertility

Paragard Remains on the Consumer Market

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Paragard in 1994. It has been approved for up to ten years of implantation in the body. In 2019, there was a sterility issue with the device which prompted a recall. However, despite the harrowing accounts of women who have experienced the emotional, physical, and financial effects of a failed Paragard IUD, it still remains on the market.

File a Paragard Lawsuit – Speak With a Lawyer Handling Paragard Litigation

If you or a loved one has suffered complications from the Paragard IUD, you should be aware that medical device lawyers are currently filing product liability lawsuits against the manufacturers of the Paragard IUD.

By filing a Paragard Lawsuit, you may be able to obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Fill out the form below to contact a Paragard lawyer handling these claims.