MDL Consolidates More Than 100 Cases Against Makers of Birth Control Device Paragard
District Judge Leigh Martin May has selected attorney Erin K. Copeland of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs and Timothy Clark of Sanders Phillips Grossman to lead the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) against the makers of Paragard intrauterine devices. The Paragard IUD was originally made by Teva Pharmaceuticals and later sold to Cooper Surgical, Inc. Over 100 cases were consolidated by the MDL, which will be heard by Judge May in the Northern District of Georgia.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our attorneys continue to investigate the devastating effects that the Paragard birth control device has had on women. Numerous plaintiffs report that the device broke apart during removal, causing significant harm and requiring additional surgeries.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while using the Paragard IUD, please contact our office for a free consultation.
About the Paragard Intrauterine Birth Control Device
The Paragard IUD is a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus through a nonsurgical procedure. The device is marketed as the only birth control that is a 100% hormone-free IUD. To prevent pregnancy, the plastic “T-shaped” device is wrapped with a thin layer of copper which prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.
According to the manufacturer, the Paragard IUD:
- Has been linked to an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometritis;
- Can cause injuries (perforation) because the device attaches or goes through the uterus;
- Can result in a dangerous ectopic pregnancy; and
- May lead to a life-threatening infection.
Dangers During Paragard Removal
Many of the plaintiffs that have brought suit against Teva and Cooper (Teva owned the device until 2017 when it was sold to Cooper) report that the intrauterine device broke apart while being removed. Pieces of the IUD that broke apart became lodged into their uterus, causing severe injury.
Breakage of the device can cause perforation. A study found that fracture is more likely to occur in women that have worn the device for six to 10 years. In some cases, it may be that the device was improperly positioned or had become embedded in the uterus, which can cause additional harm if excessive force is needed for removal.
Paragard Failure to Warn
Over the past decade, thousands of complaints have been filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the device. It is alleged that the device manufacturers knew about the removal dangers and failed to warn doctors, the public, or regulators about the defect.
Furthermore, plaintiffs claim that the manufacturers not only knew about the likelihood that the device could break apart during removal but that Teva and Cooper also misrepresented the safety benefits of the IUD compared to other birth control options.
Holding Negligent Pharmaceutical Companies Liable
Attorney Erin Copeland has successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of women who have been injured by negligent pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Before being selected to represent the Paragard MDL plaintiff group, she served on the Executive Committee for the Essure consolidated litigation in California, where she helped to negotiate the $1.6 billion settlement against Essure manufacturer Bayer.
Mrs. Copeland has been court-appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for various pelvic mesh MDLs and Pradaxa litigation. In 2018, she was selected to serve in a leadership position for the Onglyza multidistrict litigation.
Contact Our Office for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered harm or had to undergo surgery to remove a Paragard intrauterine device, contact our office immediately at (713) 751-0025. Our Houston dangerous drug lawyers are committed to holding pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of medical devices accountable for their wrongdoing.
Women who have had complications related to the Paragard IUD, such as scarring, ectopic pregnancies, hysterectomy, or infection in the uterus, may be entitled to compensation after filing a Paragard IUD lawsuit. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
