Paragard IUD is a birth control device that has come under fire for causing serious health problems. It has been known to migrate and cause infection and reproductive issues.
If you have been injured when using a Paragard IUD, you deserve compensation. The Columbus personal injury attorneys at Babin Law, LLC have extensive experience representing clients in product defect claims. Read on to find out how we may be able to help with your case.
When you use a medical device, you expect it to be safe. You expect it to provide the results it is designed to produce. You don’t count on it causing harmful health conditions other than those revealed on warning labels.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Many companies don’t do adequate testing on their products. Others fudge test results. And because the FDA is too busy to oversee the testing of every product, many manufacturers get away with it.
What is Paragard IUD?
Paragard is a plastic, T-shaped birth control device that’s approximately the size of a quarter and has a copper wire feature. It is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. It is incorporated into devices like Essure permanent birth control, Mirena IUD, and Paragard IUD.
The copper IUD provides long lasting, nonhormonal birth control. It is placed in the uterus by the doctor. Unlike other IUD devices that are laced with hormones, the copper coil in the IUD is used to prevent pregnancy.
The copper coil creates a toxic environment for sperm causing it to swim away from the uterus where it can create a baby.
The Paragard IUD was approved by the FDA in 1984 as being safe for 10 years of use.
Why is Paragard Dangerous?
Paragard offers a unique way to prevent pregnancy without the hormonal side effects other IUDs cause. Sounds good so far. But unfortunately, the design of the product makes it quite dangerous.
The IUD has been known to become dislodged or break during removal causing damage to the surrounding tissues and organs. Some plaintiffs have needed to undergo more than one surgery to have it completely removed. It has led to health issues including the following.
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Chronic pain
- Tissue inflammation
- Infection
- Perforation of the cervix or uterine wall
- Hysterectomy
- Infertility
Plaintiffs who have gone up against Teva Pharmaceuticals say the company “knew or should have known that Paragard can and does cause serious harm to individuals who use it, due to the risk of the Paragard’s arm breaking upon removal.” Accusations against Teva include violation of consumer protection laws, negligence, strict liability design defect, strict liability manufacturing defect, and failure to warn.
Other IUD Risks
While Paragard is particularly dangerous, other IUD products have been known to cause health issues and side effects like:
- Stomach pain, cramps, and back pain
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Uterine infection
- Menstrual periods that are heavier and last longer than normal
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
There have been over 1500 reports of IUD complications filed to the FDA in the past decade. In addition to the many serious health conditions some women have developed, others claim that the IUD failed before the end of its expected lifespan.
Did Columbus Issue a Recall on the Paragard IUD?
Essure Birth Control has been pulled from the market due the countless lawsuits being filed and it is likely that Paragard will be headed to the same fate. However, as of now, there is no recall on the product.
It should be noted that Teva Pharmaceuticals recalled two lots of their devices in April of 2014 due to “lack of assurance of sterility.”
Is There a Class Action?
There is no class action lawsuit against Paragard. However, cases are being temporarily joined in the Northern District of Georgia federal court as part of an MDL (Multi-District Litigation).
MDLs differ from class action lawsuits in that each plaintiff retains their own lawyer and has their own individual cases. However, not all cases go to trial. Only certain cases are tried, and the outcome gives both sides an idea of the case value and the outlook for settlements.
Paragard Settlement Amounts
As of today, no Paragard cases have been settled. However, if you base possible settlements on past cases, you may look at Bayer lawsuits for the Mirena IUD that perforated organs and migrated in the body. In 2018, the company offered $12.3 million to settle the 4600 claims against them.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive With a Columbus Paragard IUD Lawyer?
The type of damages you can collect vary according to the extent of your IUD injuries and your personal situation. Here are some things you may be looking at.
Loss of Wages: Loss of wages cover any income lost due to taking time off work to deal with and recover from injuries. If injuries are so severe that you can no longer work or are forced to take a lower paying job the damages will cover any discrepancies.
Medical Expenses: These damages cover medical expenses incurred due to the injury as well the cost of ongoing care.
Emotional and Physical Pain and Suffering: Injuries may cause a reduction in quality of life. At fault parties will be responsible for paying for these damages. Although it is difficult to put a monetary value on this type of loss, your Columbus Paragard IUD lawyer will apply his or her years of experience to come up with an amount that is fair.
Babin Law, LLC May Be Able to Assist With Your Columbus Paragard Injury Lawsuit
Product defect cases can get complicated. You will be going against big business, and you will need to show proof of medical damages. Because of this, it might be a good idea to have a reliable Columbus Paragard IUD attorney on your side.
Babin Law, LLC has years of experience representing clients in personal injury and product defect cases. We are not intimidated by big business. We have the know-how to get winning results for our clients.
Don’t let negligent companies get away with releasing products that hurt consumers. Contact our Columbus office to schedule your free consultation. If we’re able to take on your case, we will see to it that justice is served.
