The Paragard IUD was marketed as a safe, long-term, hormone-free birth control option. But for many women across New Orleans and Louisiana, the device has caused devastating injuries. Reports show that Paragard can break during removal, leaving pieces embedded in the uterus or other organs. This has led to serious complications, including infertility, organ damage, and the need for invasive surgeries.
At the Gertler Law Firm, we represent women and families harmed by defective medical devices like Paragard. With nearly five decades of product liability litigation experience, we know how to hold manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by unsafe devices.
Attorneys For Louisiana Women Injured By The Paragard IUD: Legal Help For Injuries After Using A Paragard IUD
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from Paragard, you are not alone. Women across Louisiana trusted this device for safe, hormone-free birth control, only to face complications that changed their lives. Our team understands the fear, frustration, and betrayal that come when a device meant to protect your health instead causes lasting harm. We are here to listen, guide you through your options, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
What Is Paragard?
Paragard is a non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) made of plastic and copper. It was designed to provide up to 10 years of birth control by preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. Unlike other IUDs, Paragard does not use hormones, making it an appealing option for many women.
The device is T-shaped, with a copper coil wrapped around its stem and copper bands on each of its two arms. When inserted, it stimulates an immune response that helps prevent pregnancy. The copper ions released by the device are spermicidal, adding another layer of protection. Its manufacturer promoted a contraceptive success rate above 99%.
However, serious problems have emerged. During removal, the IUD can fracture or break, leaving copper or plastic fragments inside the body. In some cases, the broken pieces migrate to other organs, requiring emergency surgery and causing long-term harm.
Common vs. Severe Side Effects of Paragard
Common Side Effects
Some side effects are considered typical when using Paragard, including:
- Heavier periods that may last longer
- Spotting between cycles
- Stomach pain or back pain
- Cramping and anemia
- Painful intercourse
Severe Side Effects
Other complications go far beyond discomfort, placing women at serious risk:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Perforation of the uterus
- Device migration and embedding in tissue
- Difficulty or failure during removal, often requiring surgery
If you’ve experienced these severe complications, it may indicate that Paragard was defective and that you may have grounds for legal action.
Complications Linked to Paragard IUDs
Women who received Paragard IUDs have reported injuries such as:
- Uterine perforation
- Migration of broken pieces to other organs
- Severe abdominal pain and cramping
- Heavy bleeding and infection
- Infertility and reproductive system damage
- Need for hysterectomy or other invasive surgeries
These complications have been treated at hospitals and clinics throughout New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and St. Bernard Parish, often leaving women with lasting physical and emotional scars.
In many cases, broken device fragments embed in the uterus or travel to nearby organs, causing scarring, inflammation, and internal damage. Some women have been forced into emergency hysterectomies, ending their ability to have children.
FDA Reports and Nationwide Complaints
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 1,600 complaints about Paragard’s plastic arms breaking since 2010.
- In 2014, doctors reported that both arms were missing when attempting removal after just over six years. The arms were embedded in uterine tissue.
- In 2015, another report detailed that the copper coil around the stem was missing entirely during removal.
These reports underscore what many women already know: Paragard can fail without warning, leading to devastating outcomes. If this has happened to you, it’s important to know you are not alone and that you may have legal options.
The Impact on Victims and Families
The harm caused by Paragard IUDs extends well beyond the physical injuries. Victims and their families often face:
- Loss of Fertility: For many women, the damage caused by a broken IUD means the end of their ability to have children.
- Emotional Trauma: You may struggle with grief, depression, or feelings of betrayal after trusting a device meant to support your health.
- Financial Stress: Multiple surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing medical care create significant expenses.
Family members are also affected:
- Spouses and Partners often share in the emotional and financial stress caused by fertility loss or ongoing pain.
- Caregiving Burden: Loved ones may need to provide daily care and support during recovery.
- Future Uncertainty: Families must navigate difficult decisions about medical treatment, fertility options, and long-term health.
The ripple effect of these injuries can permanently change the course of a family’s life.
Louisiana Law and Paragard IUD Lawsuits
Paragard cases fall under the Louisiana Products Liability Act (LPLA). Key points include:
- One-Year Deadline: Most claims must be filed within one year of discovering the injury.
- Defect Categories: Claims may involve design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn.
- Mass Tort Litigation: Paragard lawsuits are being coordinated in federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), allowing Louisiana women to join national cases while working with local counsel.
- Damages Available: Compensation may cover medical bills, lost wages, infertility-related damages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Many lawsuits also argue that manufacturers misrepresented Paragard’s safety and failed to warn doctors and patients of the true risks. Originally manufactured by Teva, the device was later acquired by Cooper Companies in a $1.1 billion deal, raising further questions about corporate responsibility.
Because these cases involve large pharmaceutical corporations, experienced product liability attorneys are critical.
What You Should Do If You’ve Been Injured by Paragard
If you’ve experienced complications with Paragard, taking the right steps can strengthen your case:
- Seek Medical Care Immediately: Protect your health first and document your injuries.
- Gather Medical Records: Ask for your operative reports and any device labels or stickers used during your procedures.
- Confirm Your Device: Identify if your implant was the Paragard Copper T 380A model.
- Document Symptoms and Surgeries: Keep a record of pain, bleeding, infertility issues, or any surgical interventions.
- Speak to a Lawyer: Contact a qualified product liability attorney who can explain your options and represent you in state or federal litigation.
Potential Compensation for Paragard Injuries
If you were harmed by Paragard, you may be entitled to financial recovery for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical bills and the cost of future treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and long-term reproductive damage
- Infertility and family planning impacts
While no amount of money can undo the harm, compensation can provide the resources you need for treatment, stability, and closure.
How Gertler Law Firm Helps Paragard Victims
The Gertler Law Firm has decades of experience taking on corporations in high-stakes product liability litigation. For Paragard victims, we:
- Review medical records and surgical reports to confirm injuries.
- Partner with medical experts to prove the link between Paragard and complications.
- Calculate damages including medical expenses, lost wages, infertility-related losses, and emotional trauma.
- Represent clients in both Louisiana courts and national MDL proceedings.
We have supported women across New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, Belle Chasse, and Marrero, providing compassionate representation while pursuing justice against negligent manufacturers. Our team has recovered more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements for clients, and we bring that same dedication to women and families harmed by Paragard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paragard IUD Lawsuits
How do I know if I qualify for a Paragard lawsuit?
If your Paragard IUD broke, migrated, or caused serious complications such as organ damage, infertility, or the need for surgery, you may qualify. The best way to know for sure is to speak with an attorney who can review your medical records and confirm whether your case fits into the ongoing litigation.
What should I do if my Paragard IUD broke during removal?
Seek immediate medical care, keep all medical records, and request copies of your operative reports. If possible, ask your doctor for any device fragments or documentation confirming breakage. Then contact a product liability attorney to discuss your options.
Is there a time limit to file a Paragard lawsuit in Louisiana?
Yes. Under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, most claims must be filed within one year of discovering the injury. Because deadlines are strict, it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What types of compensation can I recover?
Compensation may include coverage for your medical bills, lost income, infertility-related damages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Every case is different, but an attorney can help calculate what your claim may be worth.
Are Paragard lawsuits class actions?
No. Paragard cases are being coordinated through multidistrict litigation (MDL) in federal court. That means your case is handled individually, but the evidence-gathering process is streamlined alongside other cases nationwide. You are still able to pursue your own damages.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a Paragard case?
At the Gertler Law Firm, you pay nothing up front. We handle Paragard lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Why choose a Louisiana-based law firm?
While Paragard cases are part of national litigation, having a Louisiana firm ensures you’re represented by attorneys who understand both the local courts and communities. Our 50 years of service to families in New Orleans and across the state mean we know how to protect your rights here at home while coordinating with national proceedings.