The Paragard IUD lawsuit is a suit being filed against the manufacturer of Paragard. Paragard is a type of intrauterine contraceptive device that has resulted in serious injury, infection, and other negative health consequences. Many women have had the device implanted in their uterus and have suffered many damages.
Many of those women have brought lawsuits against various parties who may have contributed to their harm, and you may be eligible to bring a lawsuit if you also suffered any harm. Our firm can help you with that lawsuit.
Paragard Is an Implanted Contraceptive Device
Paragard is a form of intrauterine contraceptive device, commonly referred to as an intrauterine device, or an IUD. According to Case Western Reserve University, IUDs date back to the early 20th century, and today, many people see them as a preferable alternative to other forms of birth control because:
- They are semi-permanent, in that they can be effective for as long as ten years in some cases (according to the Paragard website)
- They travel with you, as they are implanted in the uterus, and do not necessitate thought or action before engaging in intercourse
- When they work, they can be highly effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy
Some people are drawn to the Paragard IUD in particular because, unlike several other intrauterine contraceptive devices, the Paragard IUD does not rely on hormones to ward off pregnancy. The Paragard IUD has copper wire wrapped around the arms of the T-shaped plastic device, with the copper serving as the sperm repellant.
The potential benefits of the Paragard may be overshadowed by significant risks. Many people who sought a semi-permanent form of birth control would not have had a Paragard IUD device implanted in their uterus had they been fully aware of the possible health risks that come with the device.
The Health Risks of the Paragard IUD Are Sparking Paragard Lawsuits
You may have grounds for a Paragard IUD lawsuit even if you were warned about some of the possible risks associated with having a Paragard IUD implanted in your uterus. There is some ambiguity between what the manufacturer of Paragard, CooperSurgical, acknowledges as risks and what all of the risks actually are.
Some of the risks CooperSurgical does acknowledge on the Paragard website include:
- The development of anemia, a blood cell-related disorder that generally weakens your immune system and may increase your risk of developing serious illness
- The development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a disease that can cause a slew of secondary health problems that may become chronic, according to Mayo Clinic
- Perforation in your uterine walls that may lead to damage in other organs, and possibly permanent problems with your ability to conceive children
- Infections and discharge from the vagina
- Lifelong infertility
- Unexplained bleeding
CooperSurgical lists other symptoms, including the possibility that the device may be expelled without warning, with the expulsion possibly exposing the user to unwanted pregnancy.
One admission CooperSurgical has stopped short of making is that the Paragard IUD is inherently dangerous—specifically, that it is prone to breaking in a way that could expose you to further health risk.
A Broken Paragard IUD Can Be Very Dangerous
The relative safety of a medical device depends, in part, on documented cases of what could happen in a worst-case scenario involving the device. There is a documented case of the Paragard IUD breaking inside of a user’s uterus.
A broken Paragard IUD may expose you to some of the health problems listed above, such as uterine puncture and subsequent infection. In addition, a broken Paragard IUD may necessitate multiple surgeries to remove all of the fragments of the device, as leaving them in the uterus could cause chronic issues.
You should have been warned about the possibility that using the Paragard IUD could result in serious health problems. If you were not warned, you could be entitled to bring a Paragard IUD lawsuit against the manufacturer.
You May Not Have Received Adequate Warning of Paragard-Related Risks
A lawyer from our firm will advise you about any forms of negligence that contributed to injuries or illness you suffered because of a Paragard IUD. It is possible that you were put at risk by a lack of risk disclosure by:
- The manufacturer of your Paragard IUD
- One or more doctors who advised you about the Paragard IUD or installed the device
- Another party
Failing to warn you of the risks associated with the Paragard IUD is just one possible form of negligence that may entitle you to compensation. A lawyer will listen to the details of your case and help you understand how your situation may warrant legal action that could result in compensation for you.
Can I File a Paragard IUD Lawsuit?
You may have the ability to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Paragard if you suffered health complications as a result of its use. Generally, the basis of Paragard IUD lawsuits is that Paragard’s manufacturer did not provide sufficient warning of hazards. However, you may have a different, legitimate basis for your lawsuit.
You may have experienced significant adverse consequences due to a Paragard IUD, possibly including:
- Serious health problems
- Emergency medical treatment
- Time off from work that you may not be able to afford
- Personal trauma that may have also affected any family you have
A Lawyer Can Provide Invaluable Legal Services
Injuries in any serious situation can be traumatic to deal with and expensive to treat. A lawyer from our firm can help you obtain a financial settlement from a judge or outside of court. There are several ways your lawyer may be able to assist you. Your lawyer can start by:
- Consulting with you about your Paragard IUD case
- Determining whether you are a good candidate for a lawsuit
From here, you may choose to move forward with legal action, with the ultimate goal of obtaining compensation. Your lawyer can work toward this end by:
- Establishing a clear record of how you were harmed
- Filing your claim to the appropriate offices
- Reaching out to any medical professionals that may provide insight into your case
- Interviewing any witnesses that can attest to your losses
- Serving as your legal representative from the beginning of your case to its completion
- Ensuring that your rights are protected throughout the legal process
Your lawyer can create and present a case on your behalf, using the details of your situation as their guide. If your claim or lawsuit is successful, you may receive compensation for your damages.
Possible Awards in a Paragard IUD Lawsuit
Some of the compensation you may collect could include coverage for:
- Medical treatment you required because of subsequent health complications
- Any mental anguish resulting from your afflictions
- Any income you have lost due to time off work
- The cost of having the Paragard IUD implanted
- The cost of having your Paragard IUD removed, especially in the case of an emergency or having it surgically removed
Have Paragard IUD Lawsuits Already Been Filed?
Many Paragard lawsuits have already been filed, and many more will be filed soon. Generally, the suits have the same or similar allegations.
Is There a Paragard IUD Class-Action Lawsuit?
Paragard cases aren’t being filed as a class-action lawsuit, but they are being handled in a multidistrict litigation (MDL). This may help resolve the individual cases more quickly. A Paragard IUD lawsuit attorney from our firm may be able to help you participate in this MDL.
Contact Our Team at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
We fight for those who have been harmed through no fault of their own. If you were injured because you did not know all of the risks associated with the Paragard IUD, we will fight for you.
When we begin our working relationship, there will be no start-up costs or hidden fees. We only get paid at the conclusion of your case if we get compensation for you. Contact our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free discussion regarding your case.
