Unsafe Products That Have Resulted in Painful Injuries to Women and Children
Over the past century, women have been disproportionately harmed by dangerous and defective drugs and devices compared with men. Products marketed as “safe and effective” to women resulted in countless injuries and an untold number of deaths.
Attorney Erin Copeland of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs is a fierce, dedicated advocate for women who have fought to hold negligent pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and makers of dangerous baby products accountable for their wrongdoing.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous or defective product, please contact our office for a free consultation at (713) 751-0025.
Paragard IUD Litigation
The Paragard intrauterine device (Paragard IUD) is a small, non-hormonal contraceptive that is implanted into a woman’s uterus. It remains the only copper IUD available in the United States. The T-shape long-term birth control device began to make headlines after women reported severe complications caused by unexpected breakage or migration.
Originally manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals and later sold to Cooper Surgical, Inc., Paragard has been the subject of numerous lawsuits.
The device has been linked with an increased risk of:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometriosis;
- Perforation of the uterus;
- Scarring, inflammation, and infections;
- Ectopic pregnancy; and
- Hysterectomy
Litigation is ongoing against Teva for their failure to warn consumers about the likelihood that the device could break or move and could cause irreparable damage when removed. Lawsuits have also centered around the dangerous design of the product and that manufacturers misrepresented the safety benefits to women.
Attorney Erin Copeland was recently selected to lead multidistrict litigation against Teva Pharmaceuticals in one of the largest Paragard IUD consolidated lawsuits in the country.
Elmiron® Lawsuits
Elmiron® (pentosan polysulfate sodium) was introduced to the market in 1996, touted as the only FDA-approved oral medication to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with Interstitial Cystitis (IC). Dangerous side effects have been linked with Elmiron®, including irreversible eye damage and vision loss known as “pigmentary maculopathy.”
If you have experienced any of the following after taking Elmiron®, you may be entitled to compensation:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty adjusting to dark lighting
- Distorted vision (metamorphopsia)
- Eye deterioration
- Dark spots or darkening vision
Elmiron® was primarily prescribed to and used by women. Elmiron® manufacturer Johnson & Johnson owned – Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is now facing numerous lawsuits for failing to provide adequate warnings about dangerous side effects linked to continued usage of the drug. Studies show that eye damage may continue and worsen even with discontinued use of the drug.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we are currently accepting clients who have been diagnosed with an eye disease or have suffered vision loss after taking Elmiron®. Contact our office to discuss your legal options.
EssureⓇ Contraceptive Class Action
In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved EssureⓇ as a non-surgical form of permanent birth control for women. The device is a small, flexible metal coil that is implanted into a woman’s fallopian tubes.
According to the manufacturer, scar tissue begins to build around the EssureⓇ insert after implantation, forming a “natural barrier.” The scar tissue prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing the eggs.
Not long after the device reached the market, reports began to emerge about dangerous side effects women were experiencing related to the implant. As a result, EssureⓇ manufacturer Bayer AG announced in 2018 that they would stop selling the device as a “voluntary business decision.” Federal law now restricts the device from being sold or implanted by a doctor or physician.
Attorney Erin Copeland Helps to Negotiate $1.6 Billion EssureⓇ Settlement
Firm partner Erin Copeland was appointed as a lead member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the EssureⓇ JCCP. Her dedicated advocacy for women harmed by EssureⓇ implants helped to secure a $1.6 billion settlement against Bayer.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
For nearly two decades, the transvaginal placement of surgical mesh had been used for the treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Despite being marketed as “easy and effective,” transvaginal mesh would eventually be linked to thousands of severe complications.
Women with transvaginal mesh reported numerous harmful side effects, including:
- Erosion
- Urinary problems
- Pain
- Infection
- Incontinence
- Organ and blood vessel perforation
The FDA eventually issued a warning to doctors regarding the reported complications and, nearly a decade later, banned the sale of transvaginal mesh products for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
Multi-Million Dollar Verdict for Transvaginal Mesh Victims
The attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs have extensive experience securing verdicts against negligent manufacturers that brought defective devices to market or failed to adequately warn consumers about their dangers.
In one of the earliest federal transvaginal mesh trials against manufacturer Boston Scientific, Corporation, Attorney Erin Copeland helped to secure a multi-million dollar verdict on behalf of four women who suffered devastating injuries after transvaginal mesh implantation.
Defective Baby Products
The devastating truth is that unsafe baby products make it to American consumers every year. Defective baby products can seriously injure or kill infants and children.
In some egregious cases, it can be shown that the manufacturer knew or should have known about the defect and allowed it to be sold despite the danger. In other cases, the manufacturer may have failed to adequately warn consumers about the potential harm to infants even when used properly.
Dangerous Baby Carriers and Slings
One example of a defective baby product is the marketing and sale of baby carriers or slings. Research indicates that these products may be unsuitable for infants and can lead to hip dysplasia or other serious hip conditions.
Several baby carriers have been deemed unsafe and subsequently discontinued. Because of the long-term, adverse developmental concerns associated with hip dysplasia, baby carrier lawsuits have been filed across the country.
Representing Families Who Have Suffered Harm Due to Unsafe Baby Products
Erin Copeland and the attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are currently accepting cases for parents whose babies have hip dysplasia linked to baby carriers and children who have been injured as a result of dangerous or defective baby products.
Have You Been Injured by an Unsafe Product?
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we represent women and their families who have been harmed by dangerous and defective products. Our lawyers have recovered over $1 billion for injury victims nationwide.
If you have suffered harm due to an unsafe drug or device, contact our office at (713) 751-0025 for a free consultation. Let us be your champion. Get the help you need now from a nationally recognized, award-winning legal team.
