Paragard is an intrauterine device used as a form of birth control. The T-shaped device was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1984. Unlike hormonal birth control, the copper device prevents pregnancy by being implanted in the uterus.

However, some women allege a design defect in the Paragard IUD resulted in it fracturing or breaking upon removal. A number of women have filed claims against Paragard seeking compensation for the damages allegedly caused by this design defect.

Paragard IUDs are a form of long-term birth control that a doctor places at the base of the uterus. The T-shaped device has a copper coil that releases small amounts of copper particles. These cause a toxic inflammatory reaction that prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.

The Paragard IUD can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. And the device is marketed as being easy to remove since the doctor simply has to pull a removal cord.

However, some women allege that plastic arms at the base of the device do not flex upward as they are supposed to when the Paragard IUD is removed.

Instead, the arms become rigid and break during the removal process. This can result in sharp plastic pieces becoming stuck inside the uterus. Some women required surgical removal of these plastic shards while others experienced ongoing or permanent complications.

Women who have been affected by problems with removal of the Paragard IUD have filed claims against the manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, as well as against CooperSurgical, which purchased the IUD device from Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2017.

These lawsuits argue:

-Product liability claims based on an alleged defect in the design of the Paragard IUD

-Failure to warn based on an alleged failure of Teva Pharmaceuticals to alert patients to the potential-risk that the device could break and cause complications

-Negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

Injuries and Complications from Paragard IUDs

-Paragard IUDs have allegedly caused many injuries and complications including:

-Perforation of the uterus

-Cervical perforation

-Migration of the IUD

-IUD pieces left inside after removal causing inflammation or allergic reaction

-Missing IUD pieces

-IUD pieces becoming lodged in organs

-Infertility

-Infection

-Pain

IUD pieces that cannot be removed

-Many women also required surgeries such as hysterectomy, laparoscopy or laparotomy to remove broken IUD pieces or to treat complications resulting from problems with the Paragard IUD.