Paragard Lawsuit

What is Paragard?

Manufactured and marketed by CooperSurgical, Inc. (formerly Teva Pharmaceuticals), the Paragard T 380A is an intrauterine device (IUD) that can provide long-term birth control (contraception), according to the Mayo Clinic. Paragard is a T-shaped plastic frame wrapped in copper wire that is inserted into the woman’s uterus. The copper wire produces an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs (ova), preventing pregnancy. Paragard T 380A was first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984.

Paragard May Break During Removal: Study

A 2015 study published in the Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports looked at multiple cases of Paragard IUD breakage that occurred upon removal of the birth control device. The researchers concluded that “the possibility of its breakage should be recognized by clinicians.”

Paragard IUD Side Effects

Serious side effects of the Paragard IUD may include:

• Paragard breaking upon removal
• Paragard expulsion or falling out of the uterus
• IUD migration to other parts of the body
• Ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg growing outside a woman’s uterus)
• Paragard becoming embedded in the uterus
• Inflammation / allergic reactions
• Hysterectomy
• Perforation of the uterine wall / cervix
• Scarring / damage to other organs
• Revision surgery
• Death caused by any of the injuries above

More common side effects of Paragard birth control include:

• Anemia
• Backache
• Dysmenorrhea (pain with menstruation)
• Dyspareunia (pain during sex)
• Prolonged menstrual flow
• Menstrual spotting
• Pain and cramping
• And more

Paragard Removal

Paragard must be removed in an authorized healthcare provider’s office. The provider will use forceps to grasp the IUD’s strings and gently pull. The device’s arms will fold upward as it is withdrawn from the uterus. Light bleeding and cramping are common during removal.

Paragard Breaking Treatment

Women who suffer ParaGard IUD breakage typically require serious, invasive treatment including:

• Surgery to remove pieces of the IUD
• Uterine incision
• Total hysterectomy
• General anesthesia
• Ultrasound imaging prior to surgery

Mirena vs. Paragard

Mirena and Paragard are both hormone-releasing birth control devices that are placed in a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. The difference is that Mirena is effective for 5 years, while Paragard works for up to 10 years. Another difference is that Mirena uses levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone, while Paragard is hormone-free.

Has There Been a Recall?

No. Despite lawsuits alleging that Paragard T 380A is a defective medical device, the IUD remains for sale on the U.S. market. However, 1 batch of Paragard was recalled in 2019 due to problems with sterility.

Is There a Class Action?

To date, only individual lawsuits have been filed in the Paragard litigation. However, due to the number of claims, it is expected that these suits will eventually join a multidistrict litigation (MDL). As opposed to a class action lawsuit, which combine all the cases into one, MDLs allow all the cases to remain separate. There are currently more than a dozen individual Paragard lawsuits pending in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Paragard Settlement

No Paragard lawsuits have yet reached the settlement phase. In most cases, negotiations do not begin until several Bellwether Trials are completed. The results of these cases typically serve as the starting point for settlement talks.

If You Have Been Injured By Paragard

If you have suffered any of the above side effects after having been implanted with Paragard, take the following steps to ensure your legal rights:

• Contact your doctor for medical records confirming your Paragard implant
• Identify your specific implant
• Specify your injury
• Contact a Paragard Attorney

What Damages Could I Be Awarded?

If you or a loved one was injured by Paragard side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:

• Current / future medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Non-economic damages (pain and suffering, etc.)

Do I Have a Paragard Lawsuit?

The Medical Device Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Paragard Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one was injured by Paragard IUD side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.