The attorneys at Rueb Stoller Daniel are dedicated to fighting for the rights of people who’ve been injured or have suffered after using a specific medical device. As legal experts, we always do our best to ensure that those who manufacture and sell devices that put the lives of users in danger are held responsible for their negligence. Our legal team has experience handling Paragard IUD class action lawsuits and negotiating with the legal teams of pharmaceutical and medical companies.
If you or someone you know have suffered damages due to using Paragard, then you are eligible to seek compensation for your injuries – and the only way to get compensated is through a litigation or settlement process.
Looking to file a Paragard IUD lawsuit in San Diego? Start the process by calling Rueb Stoller Daniel Law today and schedule a free-of-charge consultation with our experienced mass tort attorneys. Our lawyers will access your case before taking the time to explain how the settlement process works, what it looks like, and how to go forward. Our medical device injury attorneys have tons of experience when it comes to Paragard IUD lawsuits and can help you get the compensation you deserve for damages and injuries suffered.
Paragard IUD Overview
The Paragard IUD is a device designed to be implanted inside a uterus to prevent pregnancy. While the contraceptive offers long-term solutions, it’s still reversible.
Paragard IUDs are small pieces of flexible plastic with a copper coating that are implanted into a patient’s uterus by a specialist. The manufacturer of the device describes the contraceptive as being 90 percent effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies. The company also claims that the device can provide this effect for up to one decade.
The contraceptive device was created by Teva Pharmaceuticals and was later (in 2017) bought by Cooper Industries, in a deal worth $1.1 billion.
Paragard IUD was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1984 and marketing started soon after. Since then, Paragard IUDs have been recommended for general use. Today, Paragard is the only copper intrauterine device available for use in America. Unlike other types of IUDs, Paragard is hormone-free.
The IUD works by releasing tiny amounts of copper into the user’s uterus over an extended period. It’s said that this helps stop sperm from inseminating the ovum, effectively preventing pregnancy. Furthermore, it’s believed that the device causes changes in the uterine wall, reducing the chances of implantation.
Dangers Associated with Paragard IUDs
Unfortunately, there have been several issues with this almost-perfect solution. Some users have reported negative side effects after the device was inserted into their uterus. Some of the side effects reported include:
- Stomach pain
- Cramps
- Severe menstrual pain
- Longer and heavier menstrual periods
- Back pain
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
Apart from that, the IUD has also been reported to cause inflammatory disease in users’ pelvis. This infection typically occurs within 20 days of insertion and generally affects the user’s uterus and other organs essential to reproduction. Fortunately, this is one condition that can be remedied with antibiotics. However, if not addressed early enough, it could lead to other health problems such as chronic pain, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and in some cases, death.
Women who’ve used Paragard IUD before have also been found to be at risk of suffering the associated negative side effects than those who use other IUD brands and types. According to one study, about 10.2 percent of women who’ve used these copper intrauterine devices experienced what’s known as device expulsion, which is where the device gets partially or completely ejected from the body. Only 5 percent of Mirena users experience this.
Partial or full expulsion of the device may require the user to undergo surgery, and that makes it useless considering what it was designed to do.
Other dangers associated with IUD removal include:
- Scarring of the uterus
- Hysterectomy
- Perforated uterine wall
- Migration of the device, which increases the chances of organ damage
- Injury and swelling as a reaction to copper
- The device may end up embedding itself inside the uterus
- Device breaks during surgery
Since 2010, the FDA has received over 1,600 reports of breaking IUD devices. Other issues with Paragard IUDs include migration of the IUD or pieces of the device, failing long before their projected lifespan, the devices simply disappear, or become embedded in the lining of the uterus.
There are so many women out there who’ve suffered some of these complications and have had to undergo corrective surgery to have the damages undone.
Liability for Injuries
The sad truth is that not all medical inventions/innovations are 100 percent safe. If you or someone you know has suffered from the use of – or been injured by – a Paragard device, then please note that you or they might be eligible to seek compensation from the manufacturers of the IUD by filing a product liability lawsuit. However, to do that, you’ll need the help and guidance of a professional and experienced Paragard attorney.
Paragard IUD defects are actionable if they involve marketing, design, or manufacturing. Failure to notify consumers of a known issue with a product is considered a marketing defect. The laws that govern what’s considered actionable to pursue a product liability claim vary from state to state.
As a victim, you will have to prove that the device was defective, hence causing harm to you. Apart from that, you also have to prove that the defect was still present when it left the company’s control. If your case is more in the line of a “failure to warn”, you will be required to prove that the manufacturer had prior knowledge or should have known of the dangers associated with using the device. If they were aware of the problem, you (the plaintiff/victim) must then prove that the company failed to warn consumers of potential problems.
Are There any Paragard IUD Lawsuits in Court at the Moment?
Studies and several lawsuits (recent claims) show that Paragard IUDs – the T380 models to be specific – have been known to cause health conditions and injuries. According to many reports, Paragard IUDs tend to migrate from their position and become lodged and embedded in the uterus of the user.
Apart from that, Paragard IUD has also been known to break or fracture, causing pieces of the device to travel to other organs and tissues in the body. When that happens, it becomes almost impossible to retrieve all the tiny pieces – this typically requires patients to undergo a series of invasive surgical procedures, including hysterectomies. Paragard IUDs are also known to cause ectopic pregnancies.
Is My Case Eligible?
As a Paragard IUD victim, you might be doubting that you have a case against the company responsible for your injuries – especially considering that the laws that govern such situations are complex and some of these pharmaceutical companies have massive legal teams on retainer. And while that might be the case, you still stand a chance to get compensated for your damages. The important thing, however, is that you start by getting in touch with skilled attorneys at Rueb Stoller Daniel law for legal counsel and guidance.
Since we can’t give you a one-size-fits-all answer, we always make sure that we start by understanding your specific situation by examining your grievances to see if your case is solid. Here are some of the things we consider:
- Safety alerts or recalls made on the use of the IUD
- Warnings issued about the risks of using the IUD
- The need for surgical procedures or hospitalization to remove the IUD
- Complications that might have arisen while the IUD was being removed
- Reasons why you preferred to use the IUD instead of any other brand or type
As you can already tell, determining whether your case is eligible or not without speaking to an attorney with experience handling Paragard claims can be difficult. If you’d like to learn more about your case and the options available for you in your situation, call Rueb Stoller Daniel today and schedule a consultation with one of our professional attorneys.
How Can a Lawyer Help a Paragard IUD Lawsuit in San Diego?
If you were using a Paragard IUD and later experienced complications due to its use, then you probably have sufficient grounds to sue the company that makes these potentially-dangerous intrauterine devices.
Call Rueb Stoller Daniel today and let professional attorneys examine your case to determine if you have grounds to file an injury suit. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that there’s a time limit to when you can file an injury claim. If your lawsuit isn’t submitted on time, then you might risk losing your right to sue the company, forgoing compensation.
That could end up being a detrimental error. As a victim, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, medical treatments, surgical procedures, medication, pain and suffering, and travel expenses.
What Should You Do If You Were Injured by a Paragard IUD?
The first and most important thing to do is to get in touch with an attorney with experience handling Paragard lawsuits. Defective Paragard IUD related injuries can result in life-long and devastating damages. Injuries caused by these IUDs could even result in some users losing their ability to bear children.
Medical device manufacturers are indebted to make items that are free of any negative side effects; products that are safe to use without fear or worry. However, when a medical product/device has flaws in its design and ends up injuring or harming users, those affected have every right to seek compensation for damages and injuries.
If you’ve been injured due to using a Paragard IUD, make sure you start the process of seeking compensation by hiring a professional and experienced attorney.
Here are the steps you need to follow if you (or someone you know) have suffered injuries due to using Paragard IUDs:
Visit a qualified doctor for treatment and start focusing on following recovery and treatment instructions.
Speak with an attorney. The lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel have years of experience when it comes to handling class action lawsuits and can be of great help to you if you’ve been injured by a defective medical device.
Gather your paperwork. As a victim, make sure you keep a concise record of all the details related to how the device harmed you and the treatment you had to undergo to treat the injuries. That includes medical appointments, prescriptions, medical bills, and even journals where you describe the journey to recovery. Doing so will even make it easier for your attorney to build a strong, rock-solid case against the responsible party(s.)
Get in Touch With Rueb Stoller Daniel Today
The legal team at Rueb Stoller Daniel understands how hard it can be to face the life-changing complications and serious injuries caused by these devices. You can count on our compassionate attorneys to carefully evaluate the details of your suit and offer you a professional and informed legal perspective on the next steps to take.
While Paragard IUD devices have worked just fine for some, there are still many more who’ve suffered serious complications from defective devices. If you’ve been injured due to using a Paragard IUD, use our online contact form or give us a call now at 1-866-CALL-RSD for a free, no-obligation consultation and we promise you that we will throw the full weight of our experience as lawyers into ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve.