Paragard FAQ: Is There a Paragard Class Action Lawsuit?

Paragard IUD Lawsuit Overview

The Paragard IUD, also known as the Copper T 380A, is a birth control device designed to provide long-term contraception without using hormones.

It is a T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional.

The device features a copper coil, which creates a toxic environment for sperm, preventing fertilization.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Paragard IUD as a safe and effective contraceptive option, numerous individuals have reported severe complications and injuries related to its use.

Women who have experienced these complications while using a Paragard IUD device may face severe pain, bleeding, and infection, even requiring surgical intervention for device removal.

If you or a loved one were injured by a Paragard IUD device, you may be eligible to file a Paragard Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law’s Paragard Lawyers for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Paragard Lawsuit instantly.

While there has been an increase in the number of Paragard IUD Lawsuits filed by affected victims, the FDA has yet to issue a Paragard recall.

The issues surrounding Paragard IUD failure makes it crucial for doctors and healthcare providers to be aware of the Paragard IUD risks and discuss them with their patients.

Paragard Lawsuits Filed Against Manufacturers

The Paragard intrauterine device was approved by the FDA in 1984 and is the only copper IUD available in the country.

The original manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, started selling the device in 1988.

In 2017, Teva Pharmaceuticals sold the Paragard IUD rights to Cooper Surgical, Inc.

As the FDA-approved manufacturers and distributors of the device, both Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical are the named defendants in numerous pending Paragard IUD lawsuits.

Plaintiffs allege that these companies failed to appropriately warn patients and physicians about the potential risks of this contraceptive device.

They argue that they would not have used Paragard without knowing these risks.

Given the severity of the injuries and complications associated with the Paragard IUDs, legal action against the manufacturers is necessary to hold them accountable for the harm caused to patients.

By seeking compensation through the legal system, affected individuals can pursue justice and alleviate some financial burdens they may face.

Injuries Related to Paragard IUD Devices

The reported injuries associated with Paragard IUDs are deeply concerning and have led to a wave of Paragard IUD injury lawsuits against the device’s manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cooper Surgical.

Some of the most common Paragard IUD complications and injuries include:

• Device Migration: The Paragard IUD may migrate from its original placement within the uterus, potentially causing damage to nearby organs and tissues.
• Fracturing: The Paragard device has been known to fracture during removal attempts, leading to fragments remaining in the body and causing pain, infection, and other complications.
• Device Breakage: In some cases, the Paragard implant may break upon IUD removal, requiring additional surgery to remove broken IUD pieces left behind.
• Uterine Perforation: Improper insertion, migration, or fracturing of the Paragard IUD can result in the device puncturing the uterine wall, leading to severe pain and bleeding.
• Chronic Pain and Inflammation: Some women using a Paragard IUD have reported ongoing pelvic pain and inflammation, often due to infection associated with Paragard IUD fractured pieces.
• Infections: Infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), is a possible side effect of IUD use, mainly if the device migrates or fragments remain in the body.

The physical, emotional, and financial toll of Paragard-related injuries on affected individuals can be significant.

Many women have had to undergo multiple surgeries to address these complications, leading to medical expenses, lost wages, and decreased quality of life.

Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Vs. Class Action

Knowing the difference between a class action lawsuit and multidistrict litigation (MDL) is essential when considering legal action related to Paragard IUDs.

A class action lawsuit enables individuals to combine their claims into a single case and share in the outcome of that case.

This type of lawsuit is typical where the damages suffered by each individual may be minor, but the cumulative damages may be substantial.

An MDL, however, allows multiple similar cases involving a common defendant to be consolidated and coordinated under a single federal judge.

MDL streamlines pretrial proceedings, such as discovery, to avoid duplicative efforts and inconsistent rulings across various courts.

This legal process can lead to a more equitable outcome for those affected by Paragard IUDs, as each claimant may be entitled to receive individualized compensation according to their circumstances if the Paragard litigation is successful.

New Paragard Lawsuits are considered for consolidation into the MDL.

Critical Differences Between MDL and Class Action Lawsuits

For individuals considering filing new Paragard IUD lawsuits, it is vital to understand the differences between MDLs and class action lawsuits.

Many law firms will advertise their services for the “Paragard Class Action Lawsuit”, or the “Paragard Class Action MDL”, but these terms are incorrect.

There is only a Paragard MDL.

These are the significant differences between multidistrict litigation (MDL) and class action lawsuits:

• Case Consolidation: While MDL and class action lawsuits involve multiple plaintiffs, MDL consolidates cases for pretrial purposes only, allowing each case to maintain its individuality during the trial. Class action lawsuits, on the other hand, involve a single representative plaintiff representing the entire class.
• Individualized Nature of MDL Cases: In MDL, each case remains separate, preserving the unique circumstances of each plaintiff. This individualized approach allows for more tailored compensation based on the specific injuries and damages suffered.
• Settlement Phase Disparities: In MDL, cases may be returned to their original courts for trial if they don’t reach a settlement during pretrial proceedings. Meanwhile, a single trial can determine the outcome for all class members in a class action.

Benefits of MDL for Paragard IUD Defect Lawsuits

Given the unique circumstances of each Paragard IUD lawsuit, an MDL allows for a more equitable outcome.

The benefits of establishing an MDL for Paragard IUD lawsuits include the following:

• Efficiency and Faster Resolution: MDL streamlines pretrial processes, reducing costs and expediting legal proceedings. By consolidating all similar claims, the process moves more quickly through the legal system.
• Individualized Compensation: Unlike class action settlements, each plaintiff in an MDL may receive an award based on their injuries, which can be more appropriate than a one-size-fits-all settlement.
• Expertise: MDL centralizes knowledge and resources, ensuring a consistent and informed legal approach.
• Cost Efficiency: MDL is a cost-effective way to manage large quantities of related cases.

The Paragard MDL: What You Need To Know

Over 2,000 pending Paragard IUD lawsuits have been consolidated in the Paragard MDL overseen by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Paragard MDL Judge Leigh Martin May is presiding over proceedings in the Paragard Lawsuit.

Paragard MDL Judge May selected 10 Paragard cases to go through the discovery phase for the bellwether process.

Then, three of those cases will move forward to the first round of bellwether trials, including one chosen by the plaintiffs, one by the defense, and one by the court.

The outcome of these cases will help determine how to handle future Paragard IUD claims and provide insight into potential Paragard settlement values.

The first Paragard bellwether trial is set for March 2024.

Note that Paragard litigation is still in its early stages, and global Paragard settlement agreements have not yet been reached.

Consulting with experienced Paragard IUD lawyers is vital before deciding how best to proceed.

Your legal team can help evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.

TorHoerman Law: Your Paragard Lawyers

Our expert Paragard IUD Lawsuit attorneys have the experience and resources to secure justice on your behalf.

With over a century in combined litigation experience and more than $4 billion awarded to clients in our litigations, our results and expertise speak for themselves.

TorHoerman Law focuses on helping those injured through no fault of their own.

We are dedicated to our practice of holding pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers accountable for their greed-driven actions that put consumers at risk.

We offer free, zero-obligation case evaluations for all of our clients.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a Paragard IUD break or migration, you may be eligible to file a Paragard Lawsuit.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Paragard Lawsuit instantly.