Paragard IUD Defects Causing Serious to Injuries
Women throughout Virginia are suffering serious health complications after their Paragard IUDs broke during removal, leaving behind fragments that required additional surgeries to extract. The manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about this serious risk. Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. is standing up for women who have endured these painful and dangerous complications.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications from a Paragard IUD breaking during removal or while implanted, you may qualify for substantial compensation. At Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C., our Virginia Paragard injury lawyers have the determination and resources needed to hold the manufacturers accountable for their negligence.
Take our quick online eligibility quiz to see if you qualify for a Paragard lawsuit.
What Is Paragard and Why Is It Dangerous?
Paragard is a copper intrauterine device marketed as a hormone-free birth control option lasting up to 10 years. The device features a T-shaped plastic frame wrapped with copper wire, with two horizontal arms designed to keep it properly positioned within the uterus.
Unlike hormonal contraceptives, Paragard prevents pregnancy through a different mechanism. The copper wire releases ions that create a hostile environment for sperm, preventing fertilization without introducing hormones into the body. This made it an attractive option for women seeking long-term, non-hormonal birth control.
However, a dangerous design flaw has emerged. The arms of the Paragard IUD can become increasingly brittle over time, causing them to fracture during removal procedures. When breakage occurs, sharp fragments can embed in the uterine tissue, often requiring invasive follow-up surgeries to extract all pieces – including procedures like hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or in severe cases, hysterectomy.
Numerous reports submitted to the FDA document these breakage incidents. Research published in medical journals including The Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has confirmed multiple cases where Paragard devices fractured during attempted removal, resulting in serious complications such as:
- Uterine perforation
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Infection and scarring
- Chronic pain
- Potential fertility issues
Despite growing evidence of these risks, Teva Pharmaceuticals consistently failed to provide adequate warnings to patients and healthcare providers about the possibility of device breakage during removal, leaving Virginia women unprepared for these life-changing complications.
Legal Basis for Filing a Paragard Claim
Virginia women injured by Paragard IUDs have strong legal grounds for seeking justice. Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. is helping residents throughout the Commonwealth build cases based on these key legal principles:
Teva Pharmaceuticals neglected to properly warn about the significant risk of device breakage during removal, robbing women of their right to make fully informed healthcare decisions.
The Paragard IUD’s arms become increasingly brittle with time, creating a dangerous tendency to break during removal – a fundamental design defect the manufacturer should have addressed.
Evidence points to potential quality control failures in the production process that may have contributed to the device’s propensity to break, endangering women’s health.
By marketing Paragard as safe and fully removable, the manufacturer created an implied warranty that the device would function as intended – a promise broken for countless Virginia women.
Who Qualifies to File a Paragard Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a Paragard lawsuit if you meet these essential criteria:
First, you must have had a Paragard IUD placed as your chosen birth control method. Cases involving devices implanted after 2010 generally have stronger legal standing in the current litigation.
Second, you must have experienced one of these specific complications:
- The Paragard device fractured during removal, with one or both arms breaking off
- You required an additional surgical procedure to remove broken Paragard fragments
- The device broke spontaneously while still implanted, necessitating surgical intervention
Women who had their devices removed before 2017 typically do not qualify for the current litigation. Additionally, receiving a replacement Paragard after the initial device broke may affect how your case is evaluated.
The duration of implantation is also relevant. Women who had the device in place for less than the recommended 10-year maximum typically have stronger claims than those who exceeded this timeframe.
The Paragard attorneys at Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. understand the physical and emotional toll these complications take. Through our comprehensive online case evaluation, we’ll determine if you qualify for compensation and guide you through every step of the legal process with dedication and expertise.
Steps to Take After Paragard Complications
If you’ve suffered from complications due to a broken Paragard IUD, taking specific steps can protect both your health and legal rights. Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. recommends these important actions:
Consult with healthcare providers about all symptoms and complications, establishing clear medical documentation linking your injuries to the Paragard device.
Collect and organize all medical records related to your Paragard insertion, complications, and removal procedures to build a strong foundation for your claim.
Virginia victims can pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and emotional distress caused by defective Paragard devices.
Virginia’s statute of limitations places strict time limits on filing your claim, making it essential to consult with Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. without delay.
Get Your Instant Online Case Evaluation
Don’t delay seeking justice if you’ve been harmed by a broken Paragard IUD. Virginia law limits the time you have to file your claim. Geoff McDonald & Associates, P.C. provides a free, instant online case evaluation to quickly determine if you qualify for compensation. Take action today to protect your rights and join other Virginia women demanding accountability from Paragard’s manufacturer.