Paragard® IUD Injury Attorneys in Louisiana
Paragard® is a copper intrauterine device (IUD) and one of the oldest non-hormonal birth control products still sold to women in the U.S. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984, and it works by releasing copper into the uterus, which helps prevent pregnancy.
The device is marketed as being 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and is supposed to be safe and effective for up to 10 years after implantation. However, many women in Louisiana and across the U.S. have experienced adverse health effects, including severe complications and injuries that require surgery to treat.
Serious Side Effects Can Occur from Normal Paragard Usage
The Paragard IUD is linked to multiple types of side effects, including:
- Heavier and longer periods
- Bleeding and spotting between periods
- Stomach pain
- Cramps
- Back pain
In addition, Paragard can cause more severe complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, which is the infection of the uterus or other reproductive organs. This side effect typically occurs within the first 20 days after insertion and even if treated, it can lead to more severe complications such as infertility, chronic pain, and even death.
Paragard IUDs Can Break or Be Expelled from the Body
Women who prefer or require non-hormonal birth control may choose copper IUDs to prevent pregnancy. However, IUDs of this type, including Paragard, are more likely to be expelled from the body than other types of implantable birth control. A study published in March 2017 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 10.2% of women using copper IUDs experienced expulsion of the devices, which fewer than 5% of women who used Mirena, a hormonal IUD, experienced it.
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 1,600 complaints of Paragard IUDs breaking inside women’s bodies, including well before their expected device lifespans. When a copper IUD breaks inside a woman’s body, it can become embedded in uterine tissue, causing severe complications.
Removing Defective and Damaged Copper IUDs Can be Dangerous
Both the implantation and removal process of copper IUDs carry risks, but those risks are magnified when the devices are defective or broken. When Paragard IUDs are partially expelled or break inside the body and need to be removed, the following complications can occur:
- Perforation of the uterine wall
- Organ damage due to movement or migration of the device
- Further breakage during surgery
- Uterine scarring
- Damage requiring hysterectomy
Many women who have suffered copper IUD-related complications have required extensive medical treatment, including corrective surgery.
Women Weren’t Properly Warned about the Dangers of Paragard IUDs
The Paragard IUD was originally manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Lawsuits throughout the country, including Florida and Pennsylvania, have been filed against Paragard’s manufacturer for injuries related to the devices and their failure to warn users about potential risks.
In addition, lawsuits claim that Teva misrepresented the device as being safe and effective and that the company designed a defective and dangerous medical device. In 2017, The Cooper Companies purchased the Paragard IUD from Teva Pharmaceuticals for $1.1 billon.
We’re Here to Help Women Harmed by Paragard IUDs
At Dudley DeBosier, our Baton Rouge defective medical device lawyers want to help women who suffered complications and injuries after receiving copper Paragard IUDs get the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love experienced a negative outcome due to your IUD, you need money for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
It’s our goal to help you get every penny you’re owed for Teva Pharmaceuticals’ and The Cooper Companies’ negligence. You’ve been through enough already. Let us handle your claim so you can get the peace of mind you need during this difficult time. And if you can’t come to us due to your injuries, complications, or illness, we’ll come to you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Paragard® is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and is used here only to identify the product in question.
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, The Cooper Companies, the Food and Drug Administration, or the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
