Did you suffer injuries while using a ParaGard IUD? Was it due to a defect in the device? If so, Mass Tort Alliance might be able to help you get justice and seek compensation from the manufacturer.
ParaGard is an intrauterine device (IUD) used as a form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. When used correctly, it is over 99% effective. It has become a popular IUD over the years because it’s 100% hormone-free. Women interested in using the device won’t have to worry about the annoying hormone-related side effects that typically occur with other IUDs and oral contraceptives.
Teva Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactures the device, failed to warn users of the potential risks they face. According to filed lawsuits, ParaGard could break upon removal. This breakage could result in various injuries, infections, and other medical issues. At Mass Tort Alliance, we believe individuals wronged by dishonest and negligent companies should receive the financial award they need to cover their losses. To find out more about how we can help, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
ParaGard is the only copper IUD available in the United States. It is a T-shaped plastic device with copper wires coiled around it. The device goes into the uterus. ParaGard is toxic to both eggs and sperm, and this toxicity prevents a woman from getting pregnant. It’s effective for up to ten years after insertion, meaning you won’t have to remove it once a month like other IUDs. When you’re ready to have it taken out, your doctor can do that for you.
The Cooper Companies, the manufacturer that acquired Teva Pharmaceuticals, has marketed ParaGard with claims that it provides various benefits for women interested in long-term contraception, such as these:
The risks initially listed on warning labels for the IUD included:
However, the manufacturers did not include the complete list of adverse side effects they knew about when they sold the device. They hid some of the more severe complications women could face, putting their health, safety, and lives at risk.
Patients around the country have complained of various symptoms they didn’t know could result from the IUD when they first started using it. This prompted lawsuits against the manufacturer for its failure to provide adequate warning labels for consumers.
The most common symptoms you might have experienced with a ParaGard IUD are:
If the device breaks or becomes stuck, a doctor would need to remove it and perform surgery to repair any internal damage or other problems. Some women end up needing a hysterectomy, laparotomy, or laparoscopy.
Three main defects exist that you could potentially use to show that the manufacturer owes you compensation for your injury. They are:
This is a defect that occurs during the design process. A flaw makes the device inherently unsafe for use. The manufacturer was also aware of a safer design they could have used, but they chose not to use it.
This is a defect that happens while constructing and assembling the product. Although they followed the design, they may have used the incorrect materials or caused damage to the device but released it to consumers anyway.
Companies must always include instructions and warning labels with their products. The ParaGard manufacturer didn’t disclose certain risks they knew about that were discovered during safety testing. As a result, patients suffered injuries.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved ParaGard for contraceptive use in 1984. According to the manufacturer, it is an effective and safe form of birth control with minimal risks. Despite the FDA receiving thousands of reports that the device can break during insertion or removal and cause injury, they have not yet issued a recall. However, the manufacturer did recall two lots citing a lack of assurance of sterility.
Although ParaGard is still on the market and advertised as safe to use, you could face risks while using it. Additionally, any injuries you sustain could lead to long-term medical problems. Some people become infertile if the device migrates or punctures a nearby reproductive organ.
In the United States, 11.6% of women have used some type of intrauterine device as their birth control method. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, copper IUDs have a 0.8% failure rate. However, it could increase the longer someone uses it. For example, studies have shown the failure rate can increase to 1.3% after just four years and spike to 2.1% after ten years.
Irregular and heavy bleeding is a common side effect that could occur while using ParaGard. For some people, this unusual bleeding stops over time. However, other women reported consistent heavy menstruation that didn’t stop after having the IUD for months or even years. This causes 4% to 15% of women to have the device removed within the first year. Other reports noted significant pain during menstruation in 38% of patients.
In 2015, Dr. Carlos M. Fernandez and his colleagues published a medical study about one of the dangerous complications ParaGard poses. They concluded that the IUD is an effective contraceptive, but it can break, so doctors should be aware of that.
During their study, they also determined that:
IUD complications aren’t new. Uterine perforation was first discovered as a potential adverse effect back in the 1930s with a different device. Additionally, another popular IUD, Mirena, comes with an increased risk of perforation, irregular bleeding, and other complications.
There are pending lawsuits in the United States against The Cooper Companies for the injuries caused by their ParaGard IUD. However, no settlements or jury verdicts have been reached yet. There’s no way of predicting the amount of compensation you might receive from a lawsuit, but your attorney can review your case and provide an estimated value based on your total losses.
To give you an example of a previous lawsuit against Bayer, another IUD manufacturer, they ended up settling for $12.2 million to provide compensation in 4,600 claims. The claims stated Mirena IUD migration and organ perforation as the primary injuries sustained from the device.
You deserve an adequate amount of compensation to cover your past and future losses. Your lawyer can obtain all the necessary evidence to prove ParaGard caused your injury and that the medical treatment you sought was essential to your recovery.
The team of legal professionals at Mass Tort Alliance will work diligently to ensure the attorney who represents you can meet your needs and achieve a favorable outcome in your case. We offer a full range of services you can depend on when you want to hold someone accountable for their negligent actions.
We understand the stress you’re experiencing and how important it is to get the answers to your questions immediately. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so we never miss a call.
There’s no charge to speak with us about your ParaGard lawsuit and determine if you’re eligible for compensation.
Our intake procedure is easy and efficient. We gather all the necessary information so your legal team knows precisely the type of case you have and how to handle it.
Our staff members care about our clients. We will keep your interests in mind as we’re determining the available legal options. We’ll get to know you and your case so you receive top-notch legal representation.
Mass Tort Alliance is ready to speak with you about the injuries you sustained from ParaGard and point you in the right direction. You’ll get an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer who can fight for the justice you deserve and secure a favorable monetary award from the manufacturer. Fill out our free case evaluation form today to get started.