The Alleged Defect
Paragard is a copper intrauterine device (IUD), a hormone-free, long-term birth control option made by Teva and CooperSurgical. The lawsuits center on removal: plaintiffs allege the device’s plastic arms can become brittle and break when a doctor tries to take it out, leaving a fragment embedded in the uterus. Retrieving that piece can require additional procedures — hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or in some cases hysterectomy — and plaintiffs report pain, bleeding, scarring, infection and, in some cases, loss of fertility. They claim the makers failed to adequately warn patients and doctors that the device could break during a routine removal.
The core dispute is whether breakage reflects a design or warning defect, or the ordinary risks of any IUD removal.
The Litigation and Mixed Trials
The federal cases were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Georgia, which has grown to roughly 4,000 cases. Bellwether trials — test cases meant to signal how juries view the claims — began, and the results have been mixed: an early bellwether ended in a defense verdict, with the jury rejecting the argument that the maker failed to adequately warn about breakage on removal. A defense win in an initial trial can temper expectations and affect settlement dynamics, and as of this writing there was no global settlement.
Mixed bellwether results are common in mass torts and do not end the litigation, but they do show the claims are contested.
What Patients Should Know
IUDs, including Paragard, are safe and highly effective for most people, and this litigation is not a reason to avoid contraception — discuss options with your doctor. If you had a Paragard that broke on removal and needed further surgery, keep your medical records, including imaging and the removal notes. Anyone considering a claim should get current legal advice about deadlines, and be cautious of ads that promise a specific payout in contested litigation.
Before You Act
Thinking About Filing a Claim?
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Paragard IUD Lawsuit: The Breakage Claims: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this case and your legal options.
What is the Paragard lawsuit about?
Women allege the Paragard copper IUD's arms can break when it is removed, leaving a fragment in the uterus and causing pain, additional surgery and sometimes infertility, and that Teva and CooperSurgical failed to warn adequately about breakage on removal.
Is there a Paragard settlement?
Not yet. About 4,000 cases are consolidated in a federal MDL in Georgia. Bellwether trials have been mixed — an early one ended in a defense verdict — and there was no global settlement at the time of writing.
Are IUDs safe to use?
IUDs, including Paragard, are safe and highly effective for most people; this litigation is not a reason to avoid contraception. Discuss options with your doctor.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case status, eligibility criteria, and any amounts described are as reported at the date shown and may change. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your own situation.