Brian White | January 9, 2024 | Product Liability
Currently, there is no recall for Paragard Copper IUDs, even though there are pending lawsuits alleging injuries and damages caused by the birth control device. This blog discusses the potential side effects of using the Paragard Copper IUD and the ongoing litigation against the manufacturer.
What Is a Paragard Copper IUD?
An IUD (intrauterine device) is a small T-shaped medical device used for birth control. It is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider and should only be removed by a healthcare provider.
Paragard is a hormone-free IUD that can be used for up to 10 years. Instead of using hormones to prevent pregnancy, the copper wire around the device creates an inflammatory reaction that prevents pregnancy.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Using the Paragard IUD?
The manufacturer (Teva Pharmaceuticals/CooperSurgical, Inc.) lists common side effects of using the Paragard Copper IUD on its website, including:
- Pain during sex
- Painful periods
- Backache
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain and/or cramping
- Anemia (low blood count)
- Vaginal irritation
However, the company also warns consumers of potential serious side effects of using the device, including:
- Risks of intrauterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy
- Life-threatening infections that occur within the first few days after insertion of the IUD
- Endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Perforation of the uterine wall
- Embedment of the IUD into the wall of the uterus
- Expulsion (the IUD wholly or partially falls out of the uterus)
- Reactions after insertion or removal, including seizures, slowed heart rate, and dizziness
- Changes in menstrual bleeding
Some of the potential side effects of the Paragard Copper IUD can be life-threatening. Women may require surgery to remove the device and/or repair damage caused by the device. In some instances, complications could result in infertility.
If you experience any side effects after the insertion of an IUD, contact your physician immediately. Some side effects and complications could occur months or years after insertion.
What Should I Do if I Sustain Injuries Due To a Paragard Copper IUD?
If you experience symptoms or problems associated with the Paragard IUD, you should:
- See your doctor for an exam and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Gather documentation regarding your experience, including medical records, prescriptions, and statements from those you talked to about the symptoms.
- Contact a product liability lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your options for filing a Paragard injury claim.
You still may have legal recourse against the manufacturer by filing a product liability claim even though the copper IUD hasn’t been recalled. Dangerous and defective products may remain on the market. However, product liability laws give consumers a legal cause of action to recover compensation for their injuries and damages.
Proving Liability for Injuries Caused by the Paragard Copper IUD
Even though most product liability cases are based on strict liability, you must prove certain legal elements to hold a manufacturer liable for damages.
Winning a Paragard lawsuit requires that you have evidence proving the following:
- The IUD has a flaw in its design or marketing;
- The manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of the risks and potential dangers of using the product;
- The defect was the direct and proximate cause of your injury; and,
- Your sustained damages because of the defect.
Many Paragard lawsuits claim that a product defect causes the plastic arms of the IUD to break when the device is removed. The broken pieces can lodge in the uterus or perforate the uterus, causing severe damage. Other claims include copper toxicity from the wire around the IUD.
Your cause of action depends on the specific facts of your case. An attorney can review the circumstances surrounding your experience and advise if you have a valid Paragard claim.
What Damages Could I Receive in a Paragard Copper IUD Claim?
If you are successful in your claim against the manufacturer, you could receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
The damages in a product liability case can include:
- The cost of past and future medical bills and expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Past and future lost wages and benefits
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Permanent impairment and/or disability
- Diminished earning capacity
Proving a liability claim for Paragard IUD injuries can be challenging. A Houston product liability lawyer has access to expert witnesses and other resources to build a case against the manufacturer for damages. However, the time to file a Paragard Copper IUD lawsuit is limited by the Texas statute of limitations. Therefore, you need to act quickly to protect your right to file a claim.
Contact the Houston Product Liability Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston product liability law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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