For over three decades, the Paragard IUD has been marketed to women as a safe, effective, and long-lasting non-hormonal birth control device. However, thousands of women have come forward with harrowing stories of the medical device breaking apart during Paragard removal, leading to severe pain, invasive surgeries, and life-altering injuries. A product injury lawyer explains that such cases often involve claims of design defects, failure to warn, and corporate negligence. This has sparked a wave of legal action, consolidating into a significant Paragard Lawsuit against its manufacturers.
If you or a loved one suffered complications from this copper IUD, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of your rights. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing multidistrict litigation, the injuries involved, and the critical information you need to determine if you qualify to file a claim for your suffering.
Understanding the Paragard IUD and Its Purpose
The Paragard Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a T-shaped medical device made of flexible plastic with a thin copper wire lining wrapped around its frame. As the only hormone-free Intrauterine device available in the United States, it has been a popular choice for women seeking long-term, reversible contraception for up to 10 years. Unlike hormonal IUDs, the Paragard IUD works by releasing copper ions from its copper coil, creating an inflammatory reaction in the uterus that is toxic to sperm and eggs, thereby preventing pregnancy.
This unique mechanism has made it a go-to birth control device for individuals sensitive to hormones. However, the very design that makes its T-shaped arms and copper wires effective is now at the center of serious legal allegations concerning its structural integrity and potential as a defective medical device.
What Went Wrong: Allegations in the Paragard IUD Lawsuit
The core of the Paragard IUD lawsuit is rooted in product liability claims. Plaintiffs allege that the device has a critical design flaw that makes its plastic arms brittle and prone to device fracture, particularly during the removal procedure. The lawsuits claim that manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical knew, or should have known, about this risk but failed to adequately warn doctors and patients.
The primary allegations against the manufacturers include:
- Defective Design: The IUD’s T-shaped arms are allegedly too fragile to withstand the pressure of a standard removal procedure, leading to breakage during removal.
- Failure to Warn: Plaintiffs argue that the manufacturers downplayed the risk of device fracture, leaving both patients and healthcare providers unprepared for this dangerous complication.
- Negligence: The companies are accused of continuing to market and sell a defective medical device without addressing the known safety concerns, prioritizing profits over patient well-being.
When the device fractures, pieces of copper wire and plastic can become embedded in the uterine wall or migrate to other parts of the body, turning a routine medical appointment into a surgical emergency requiring surgical removal or even surgical intervention.
Timeline of the Paragard IUD Lawsuit
The legal battle against Paragard’s manufacturers has been escalating for years as more women share their experiences. The timeline highlights the growing concern about the Paragard Intrauterine Device and its alleged dangers.
- December 2020: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated federal lawsuits into In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2974), officially centralizing the cases in the Northern District of Georgia.
- 2021–2023: The number of lawsuits in the MDL increased from dozens to thousands as victims reported device fracture incidents. The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System and other adverse event reports showed a rise in breakage complaints.
- May 2024: The MDL surpassed 2,650 active cases, highlighting the widespread impact.
- March 2024: The first bellwether trial was scheduled for October 2024. These bellwether proceedings serve as test cases for how juries might respond, often shaping Settlement negotiations.
This ongoing mass tort lawsuit continues to expand, with hundreds of new individual lawsuits being filed as more women experience complications from the Paragard IUD.
Common Complications from a Broken Paragard IUD
When a Paragard IUD breaks, the consequences can be devastating. The fragmentation often necessitates surgical removal to retrieve missing pieces, leading to serious injuries.
Common complications include:
- Device fracture during removal
- Uterine perforation or organ perforation caused by sharp device fragments
- Device migration and migration of device fragments to nearby organs
- Infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Ectopic pregnancy following device failure
- Hysteroscopic removal or hysterectomy due to damage
- Infertility and chronic pain
These injuries often result in substantial medical bills, emotional suffering, and lost income each forming the basis for a personal injury or injury lawsuit.
Why the Paragard Lawsuits Matter
The Paragard Lawsuit is about more than compensation; it’s about accountability in the medical device industry. Women who trusted the Paragard IUD were promised safe contraception but instead faced invasive removal procedures and long-term harm.
By pursuing these personal injury lawsuits, victims aim to ensure transparency and responsibility within the medical device manufacturing field. Holding corporations accountable through product liability claims sends a clear message that patient safety should never be secondary to profit.
Who Qualifies to File a Paragard IUD Claim
You may be eligible to join the Paragard Lawsuit if you:
- Had a Paragard Intrauterine Device implanted in or after 2005.
- Experienced breakage during removal or other complications such as uterine perforation, device migration, or organ perforation.
- Required surgical intervention such as laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or hysterectomy.
- Suffered an Ectopic pregnancy or infertility.
- Accrued significant medical bills or financial losses.
Meeting these criteria may make you eligible to join the ongoing multidistrict litigation and potentially share in any future global settlement or award.
FDA Reports and Safety Concerns
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to monitor adverse event data related to the Paragard IUD through its Adverse Event Reporting System. Reports reveal hundreds of adverse event reports each year citing device fracture, device expulsion, and breakage during removal.
Many experts believe incidents are underreported. The growing body of data supports claims that Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical may have been aware of the defective medical device risks but failed to act.
This evidence is being used to strengthen plaintiffs’ product liability arguments in the Paragard multidistrict litigation.
The Growing Paragard MDL in Georgia
All federal Paragard lawsuits are centralized in the multidistrict litigation (MDL 2974) in the Northern District of Georgia. Unlike a class action lawsuit, where plaintiffs share a single claim, an MDL combines numerous individual lawsuits into one court for efficiency.
This structure allows victims to maintain control over their personal injury claims while benefiting from shared discovery and expert testimony. The bellwether hearings scheduled for 2026 will help shape potential Settlement negotiations and could accelerate a global settlement if juries side with plaintiffs.
What Compensation Victims May Seek
Victims of the Paragard IUD Lawsuit may recover compensation for various losses:
- Medical bills related to surgical removal, surgical intervention, or hospitalization.
- Lost wages due to recovery time or medical leave.
- Pain and suffering for physical and emotional trauma.
- Loss of fertility or pregnancy-related complications such as Ectopic pregnancy.
- Punitive damages for corporate negligence.
In severe cases involving wrongful death or long-term disability, additional compensation may be pursued through Settlement negotiations or a global settlement framework.
How Victims Can Protect Their Rights
If you believe your Paragard IUD fractured or caused harm:
- Seek medical evaluation immediately to detect retained fragments.
- Preserve the device if recovered during surgical removal.
- Document your symptoms and medical treatments.
- Collect all medical records and adverse event data.
- Consult a law firm handling defective medical device and personal injury lawsuits before time limits expire.
Taking swift action ensures that your injury lawsuit remains valid under applicable statutes of limitation.
Current Status of Paragard Bellwether Trials
The Paragard MDL is moving toward critical bellwether trials in early 2026. These cases will gauge jury response to evidence and expert testimony, helping determine the direction of the litigation.
Positive outcomes for plaintiffs could push Settlement negotiations forward, resulting in a substantial global settlement for victims. The court’s rulings in these initial bellwether proceedings will shape the future of this mass tort lawsuit and set the standard for compensation across all related cases.
The Path Forward for Paragard Victims
For thousands of women harmed by the Paragard IUD, justice is still within reach. The ongoing multidistrict litigation represents a collective stand against negligence in the medical device industry.
As the bellwether trial phase approaches, the possibility of a global settlement is growing stronger. Each personal injury claim plays an important role in driving accountability and ensuring safer Intrauterine device development in the future.
About Ted Law Firm
At Ted Law Firm, is committed to representing victims harmed by defective medical devices such as the Paragard IUD. We serve families across Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta and Orangeburg.Through rigorous case preparation and compassionate advocacy, Ted Law Firm supports clients pursuing justice in Paragard Lawsuit and other product liability actions, helping individuals seek rightful compensation for their suffering.Contact us today for a free consultation.
