Ohio ParaGard® IUD Injury Attorneys

Helping Women Injured by Defective Birth Control Devices

ParaGard®, the only copper intrauterine device (IUD) available in the United States, is often hailed as one of the most effective, hormone-free forms of birth control on the market.

Recent lawsuits have brought forth deep concerns about the safety of ParaGard® IUDs, alleging that the design of the product renders it dangerous. The ParaGard® IUD itself is a small T-shaped device made of plastic with copper wiring coiled around it. Without adequate warning to patients, the implant’s arms can break off inside the patient’s body, often requiring invasive procedures to extract these broken parts.

Unfortunately, the implant can break even when the doctor exercises care and follows instructions.  During removal, the arms of the ParaGard® are supposed to fold upward at the joint, but often one of more of the arms break.  Additionally, the implant has also shown a propensity to break prior to removal, during the normal course of use.  If you’ve experienced this with your Paragard IUD, please contact us if you would like to learn more and see if you have a claim.

ParaGard® IUD Risks & Side Effects

The ParaGard® copper IUD has generated interest nationally.  Before undergoing implant, consumers should consider risks and side effects, including:

• Bleeding/spotting in between menstruation
• Heavy cramping
• Heavy bleeding and intense menstrual pain
• Irregular, foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Pain during intercourse
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sudden bleeding
• Unintentional expulsion of the IUD from the uterus
• Worsening pelvic or abdominal pain/tenderness

It is important to visit a medical professional if you experience any of the above side effects. If a broken IUD remains unaddressed, it could lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infection of the pelvis, and premature birth, among others. If you’ve experienced this with your Paragard IUD, please contact us if you would like to learn more and see if you have a claim.

Removing a Broken ParaGard® IUD

As mentioned, the injury lawsuits focus on when a ParaGard® IUD breaks at the arm when removed or on its own prior to removal. Both cases can require surgical intervention. Another common injury is when the arms remain stuck inside the uterus during pregnancy. This can lead to significant complications.

Surgeries may include:

• Hysterectomy: A medical operation in which the uterus is removed from the body.
• Hysteroscopy: A procedure in which a medical professional will use a thin tube with a light to examine the cervix and uterus. It is not usually painful, but it can feel very invasive to some people.
• Laparoscopy: For a diagnostic laparoscopy, a medical professional will insert a long, thin, lighted-tube into the abdomen through an incision in the abdominal wall.
• Laparotomy: Also called an exploratory laparotomy, this is a major abdominal surgery.

What is the status of ParaGard® lawsuits?

The federal lawsuits have been transferred by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.  The full JPML order can be viewed here.

Do I have a claim?

Every claim is different.  However, if you have received a ParaGard® IUD implant, and you have experienced any of the problems or side effects described above, you may want to consult an experienced lawyer.  Clark Perdue has extensive experience representing patients whose claims have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation.  Please contact us if you would like more information.