Paragard Lawsuits Explained
The Paragard lawsuit is a product liability claim against Teva Pharmaceuticals, the device's original manufacturer, and CooperSurgical. CooperSurgical acquired the Paragard product line in a deal valued at roughly $1.1 billion. Plaintiffs allege the device's T-shaped plastic frame is defectively designed. It may become brittle over years of use inside the body, causing its arms to snap off during removal, instead of folding safely as intended.
Paragard is a hormone-free, copper intrauterine device approved by the FDA in 1984. It’s intended to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. According to court filings, plaintiffs allege that a certain component may accelerate the degradation of the plastic frame over time. This makes it more prone to fracture.
The FDA's current Paragard prescribing label acknowledges that breakage of an embedded Paragard during non-surgical removal has been reported. It also recognizes the risk of uterine perforation.
It’s important to note that, at this time, these are allegations, not proven facts. The first bellwether trial in the consolidated litigation, Rickard v. Teva Pharmaceuticals, concluded in February 2026 with a defense verdict. This means that the jury rejected the plaintiff's specific claims of strict liability, failure to warn, defective design, and fraudulent omission in that case.
That outcome does not resolve the broader litigation, and additional bellwether trials are proceeding to test the claims further.
Common Injuries Linked to Paragard Breakage
When a Paragard IUD breaks during removal, the health consequences depend on different factors. Where does the fragment move? How quickly is it addressed? These are the most common injuries linked to Paragard IUD breakage.
Embedded Fragments
A piece of the device's plastic arm can remain lodged in the uterine wall. This may cause abnormal bleeding, cramping, or pelvic pain that doesn't resolve on its own.
Uterine Perforation
Fragments can perforate the uterine wall and migrate into the abdominal cavity, sometimes going undetected until symptoms develop later.
Infection
Retained fragments and related tissue damage can lead to pelvic infections requiring treatment.
Infertility
In severe cases, complications from a broken IUD may cause infertility, leaving some women unable to conceive.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Some claims allege that device complications affected the contraceptive's reliability, contributing to an ectopic pregnancy.
Hysterectomy
Widespread brain damage from violent shaking or rotation.
Not everyone who has a Paragard experiences these complications. Most removals are routine. These outcomes reflect what plaintiffs in the litigation allege happened in their specific cases.
Who Qualifies to File a Paragard Claim?
Eligibility depends on what happened during your specific removal and the injuries that followed.
Confirmed Breakage During Removal
Claims typically involve medical records documenting that the Paragard device broke during removal, rather than being removed intact.
Resulting Injury or Complication
Claims are strongest when the breakage led to a documented complication. Examples include a retained fragment, infection, or a follow-up surgical procedure.
Medical and Surgical Records
Records from the removal procedure, any imaging used to locate fragments, and documentation of any follow-up surgery all help support a claim.
Timing Consistent With Your State's Deadline
Some courts have found that the filing clock starts on the date of injury rather than when it's discovered. So, claims are often strongest when filed as soon as possible after the complication occurs.
Every case depends on the specific facts, and you don't need every record in hand before reaching out. Contact our team for a free case evaluation to review what happened during your removal.
What is the Current Status of Paragard Litigation?
Federal Paragard lawsuits are consolidated in MDL No. 2974, In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation. They stand before Judge Leigh Martin May in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. As of June 2026, the MDL included more than 4,000 pending cases, making it one of the largest active device litigations in the country.
The first bellwether trial, Rickard v. Teva Pharmaceuticals, concluded on February 4, 2026. The jury returned a defense verdict on all counts after a two-week trial in Atlanta. A second bellwether trial is proceeding on a revised schedule, while a third has been temporarily stayed.
Teva has also asked the court to certify a key legal question. Does certain safety information count as "newly acquired" under federal drug labeling rules? The court has conditionally granted this request in part.
As of summer 2026, no global settlement has been reached. The litigation remains in an active, evolving phase. The court also directed the parties to propose a new round of bellwether cases.
How Long Do You Have to File a Paragard Lawsuit?
Deadlines for filing a Paragard lawsuit vary significantly by state. They generally fall between two and four years, depending on the specific legal claims involved. There is no single nationwide deadline.
Many states apply a discovery rule for product liability claims. This means that the clock starts when you discover, or reasonably should have discovered, your injury. However, some courts overseeing Paragard cases have ruled that the deadline starts on the date the device caused the injury.
This decision makes timing especially important in this litigation.
Because these rules vary and can significantly affect your case, don't wait to find out where you stand. Call to find out if your claim is still within the filing window.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Paragard Lawsuit?
Compensation in a Paragard case depends on the severity of your injury and the medical treatment it required. Claims generally cover the following:
- Medical expenses, past and future, including surgical procedures and follow-up care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium for spouses and partners
- Loss of fertility damages, in cases involving infertility or hysterectomy
No global settlement or established payout range has been reached as of today. The litigation is still in the bellwether trial phase, and the first trial resulted in a defense verdict rather than a plaintiff award. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paragard Lawsuits
Talk to a Paragard Lawsuit Attorney Today
More than 4,000 Paragard cases are currently pending in federal court. The litigation continues to move forward through bellwether trials even after the first jury verdict favored the defense.
If your Paragard IUD broke during removal and caused injury, you may be entitled to compensation. We offer free, confidential case reviews with no upfront fees. You only pay if we recover compensation for you. Call 866-582-7177, or fill out our free case evaluation form to find out if you qualify.