Paragard lawsuits allege that manufacturers failed to warn about the dangers of the birth control device breaking upon removal. If you experienced complications with the Paragard IUD upon removal, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, among other related damages. We are working with some of the most experienced Paragard lawyers across the country. There is no charge and no fee unless you receive an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll-free number 24/7 at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form.
What Is Paragard
Paragard is an IUD device designed to provide ten (10) years of hormone-free birth control. The device is T-shaped and made of plastic with a copper wire coiled around it. The copper makes an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs. Teva Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturers of Paragard, states that it can prevent pregnancy when put in 5 days after unprotected sex. Paragard was approved by the FDA in 1984 and has been widely used ever since. In recent times, lawsuits have been filed against Teva Pharmaceuticals by women having issues with the device upon attempted removal.
What Potential Dangers Come From The Removal of Paragard?
According to the manufacturer’s website, the Paragard IUD is supposed to be removed easily at a doctor’s office within minutes. However, some patients have reported that the device breaks upon removal within their body, which requires invasive surgery to remove the broken pieces. In some cases, this could even lead to a full hysterectomy. According to the filed Complaint in November of 2020, the FDA has received over 1600 reports of the Paragard IUD breaking, with over 700 classified as serious since 2010.
The Paragard IUD has the potential to perforate the wall of the uterus. This is most common upon the first implant of the device. This can cause further complications, which can include damage to nearby organs, infection and scarring. This unfortunate situation also requires invasive surgery.
If the patient still becomes pregnant while the Paragard IUD is still implanted, there could be pregnancy issues that include a pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic). Immediate medical attention is required if this occurs as internal bleeding, infertility and even death may occur due to this complication.
What To Know About Paragard Lawsuits?
According to current Paragard lawsuits, Teva Pharmaceuticals was aware or should have been aware of the potential harm this device could cause patients upon unsuccessful removal, which includes the potential of the device breaking. Lawsuits also allege that Teva knew of these dangers during the clinical trials and still failed to appropriately warn the public of their findings. While the manufacturer’s website does state that surgery may be required to remove the device for being embedded in the uterus, it does not go over any aspect of the device breaking either before or after removal. It is for these reasons that Paragard lawyers have begun filing lawsuits against Teva Pharmaceuticals.
One such lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The lawsuit states that the plaintiff had the device implanted because it was marketed as a reversible form of birth control that would be easy to remove when needed. However, when the time came for the removal, additional force was required beyond what Teva Pharmaceuticals indicated to healthcare providers. Upon removal, one of the arms broke off and was not removed with the device. According to the lawsuit, this defect was known or should have been knowable to the manufacturer.
How Do I Know If I Have A Possible Paragard Lawsuit?
With any lawsuit, lawyers must look at the facts of a case before deciding if they can properly assist the potential client. The Paragard lawyers that we work with have established the following criteria:
- If you had the Paragard IUD implanted AND
- It was implanted for less than 10 years AND
- Had the device removed AND
- Upon removal, an arm of the IUD fractured AND
- The arm embedded itself into the uterus or cervix, which required surgical intervention to remove
If you answered yes to all of these, you may indeed have a Paragard lawsuit and should contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.
What Are The Listed Side Effects of Paragard?
Some uncommon but serious side effects may include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), difficult removals, perforation of the uterine wall and expulsion of the device. The most common side effect is heavier, longer periods with spotting in-between periods, although this side effect usually diminishes after 2-3 months.
Contact an Experienced Paragard Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one used the Paragard IUD and experienced complications during removal, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, among other related losses. We work with some of the most knowledgeable Paragard lawyers in the country, who are ready to talk to you about a potential case. Call us today toll-free 24/7 at 1-(508) 715-3134 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.