Paragard Lawsuits

As of March 2025, there were 2,965 pending cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Paragard. An MDL is when several similar cases are consolidated under one judge to streamline the legal process. MDL 2974 is before Judge Leigh Martin May in the Northern District of Georgia.

The plaintiffs seek compensation for injuries sustained from Paragard’s copper intrauterine device. The suits allege that manufacturers failed to warn users of the risks of a design flaw that resulted in serious complications. These complications include perforation, product migration, scarring, and, in some cases, require surgery.

Status of Paragard Lawsuits

The Paragard MDL trials have been repeatedly delayed. The first trial is currently scheduled for Jan. 2026.

Because these lawsuits are part of an MDL, claimants keep their status as plaintiffs when the case goes before the courts or to mediation. This differs from class-action lawsuits, where one or more representative plaintiffs file a lawsuit on behalf of injured parties. MDLs only exist in the federal justice system.

The Paragard IUD lawsuits all focus on an alleged design flaw that led to the IUD device breaking during removal and leaving part of the device lodged in the uterus. As a result, users claim to have endured several debilitating effects from the IUD, in some instances requiring surgery.

In addition to these risks of injury, research indicates people who use copper IUDs may experience an increased risk of side effects, including bacterial vaginosis and irregular menstrual bleeding. Medical researchers investigating IUD side effects have recommended improved protocols when removing Paragard IUDs.

Claims Against Manufacturers

Previous lawsuits raised serious questions about the safety of the Paragard IUD. The MDL lawsuits claim that:

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered over 3,000 instances of Paragard devices breaking, with 2,000 of those cases listed as severe. As of November 2024, ABC News reported over 7,000 reports of Paragard breakage.

However, Paragard’s owner, CooperSurgical, and the original manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, continue to make claims about the device’s safety and benefits.

Has There Been a Paragard IUD Recall?

The Paragard IUD was recalled in 2014 because some devices were not completely sterile. No injuries were reported as a result of this recall.

In 2019, the FDA issued the company a warning letter for false or misleading information in Paragard television ads. In 2021, the device was placed in the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System.

Despite the growing number of lawsuits and reported adverse events related to the Paragard IUD, neither the FDA nor the current manufacturer, CooperSurgical, have taken steps to recall the device for breakage as of March 2025.

If your Paragard IUD broke upon removal and you experienced severe injury or Paragard side effects, you may be eligible for compensation.

Compensation can be for injuries that cause physical, financial and emotional hardship. It can also help pay for medical treatments, replace lost wages and ease pain or suffering.

It is important to speak with a lawyer to review your options and the specifics of your case.

Jennifer Lewis, a Calhoun County, Michigan resident, sued Teva Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries, as well as The Cooper Companies and CooperSurgical, over injuries she suffered after using a Paragard IUD.

Lawsuit Claims
In her complaint, Lewis claims that the Paragard IUD broke when it was being taken out in 2021, leading to internal injuries. She argues that the companies did not adequately warn users about this risk, provided misleading safety information and created a faulty product.

The main issues include negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty.

Legal Proceedings
The lawsuit was filed in September 2022 and is now part of the Paragard MDL. Lewis is seeking compensation for her injuries and punitive damages to hold the companies accountable.

As of March 2025, there have been no trials or settlements in the Paragard MDL.

If an out-of-court settlement isn’t reached, the first trial cases will begin in early 2026.
The results of these first trial cases, called bellwether trials, can indicate the court’s eventual verdict and possible settlement amounts.

It is important to remember that a verdict is the decision in a court proceeding. A judge or a jury can deliver it, and it can include damages. A settlement is an agreement reached out of court between the two sides. The court approves it, and it can also include damages.

Plaintiffs may agree to settlements before a trial begins or once it is underway. Monetary settlements for damages can vary significantly based on the details of an individual case. Settlement negotiations usually start after the first test cases go to trial and the court’s position has been clarified.

In other IUD lawsuits, people sued Bayer for claims that its Mirena IUD moved around in the body and punctured or injured organs. Bayer offered a $12.2 million settlement to settle 4,600 lawsuits.

Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.