The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Paragard label acknowledges “embedment” as a known risk that may require surgical removal. Numerous plaintiffs have now filed Paragard IUD lawsuits in federal court. They allege that a design defect makes the device’s arms break during removal, going beyond the label’s warning.
How the Paragard IUD is Supposed to Work
The copper IUD, known as Paragard in the United States, is a T-shaped intrauterine device. It prevents pregnancy by using copper instead of hormones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the birth control device in 1984.
The Structure of the Device
A copper IUD is a polyethylene plastic frame in a T-shape. Copper wire wraps around this frame.
How the IUD is Supposed to Work
A medical provider inserts the device into the uterus. The copper produces an inflammatory response in the uterine lining that prevents pregnancy. An IUD is advertised as a long-term birth control option. The device can be removed after 10 years or earlier, at the patient’s request.
How Removal is Supposed to Feel
When a copper IUD works as designed, removal should be brief. The arms should bend, and the device should slide out intact. Ideally, the patient should be able to continue normal activities the same day.
However, copper IUD lawsuits allege something entirely different.
The Alleged Design Defect: Why the Arms Break
Plaintiffs allege that the device’s plastic arms don’t keep the flexibility they need to bend safely during removal. Allegations argue that the arms become brittle over time instead. They may snap during removal.
The Brittleness Theory
Plaintiffs allege that the plastic frame degrades over the 10-year lifespan. Small barium sulfate particles make the device visible on X-rays. According to the complaints, the barium sulfate accelerates plastic (polyethylene) degradation. This may make the plastic stiffer and more fragile.
How Brittleness May Affect Removal
As the device is removed, the flexible plastic frame folds inward. But a brittle plastic frame may crack instead of folding inside the patient. According to plaintiffs’ experts, the cracking typically occurs in the arms.
When the arms break, fragments can remain inside the uterus, even after removal. Plaintiffs allege these fragments can embed in the uterine wall or migrate into the abdominal cavity.
An Important Note
These are allegations. The first bellwether trial in multi-district litigation (MDL) ended with a defense verdict. The jury rejected the failure-to-warn and design-defect claims. However, the legal process continues, with additional bellwether trials scheduled.
What Happens When the IUD Arms Break
If a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) breaks during removal, the aftermath could be terrible and life-threatening. It depends on where the fragment goes and how the patient’s medical team responds.
Retained Fragments
A piece of the arm may remain inside the uterus. The patient typically experiences abnormal bleeding, cramping, or pelvic pain that doesn’t resolve on its own.
Surgical Retrieval
IUD fragments often need to be removed by surgery. Others may need more invasive procedures, including laparoscopy, laparotomy, or hysterectomy.
Perforation and Migration
Some plaintiffs allege that fragments perforated the wall of the uterus. Or, the fragments migrated into the abdominal cavity. These cases typically involve longer recovery times and a higher risk of complications.
Complications of Paragard Reported in Allegations
Plaintiffs allege many different types of injuries, including chronic pelvic pain or irregular bleeding. Some patients report infertility or a need for a hysterectomy. Allegations include an increased ectopic pregnancy risk.
These alleged outcomes are not universal. Many patients have had their Paragard IUD safely removed without trouble. But thousands of women have suffered complications of Paragard.
The Status of the Paragard IUD Litigation
As of May 2026, the Paragard multi-district litigation (MDL) is one of the largest active mass tort litigations in America.
MDL 2974
Cases against Teva Pharmaceuticals, CooperSurgical, and related entities are consolidated in In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2974. The cases are in the Northern District of Georgia before Judge Leigh Martin May.
Original manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals (and related Teva entities) is the primary defendant. CooperSurgical is also named in the proceedings. As of recent court filings, the MDL includes more than 3,500 individual cases.
Bellwether Trials
MDLs use bellwether trials, or a small number of representative cases tried first. Bellwether trials test the strength of the plaintiffs’ claims. They also influence settlement negotiations.
The first Paragard bellwether trial resulted in a defense verdict. The jury rejected the plaintiffs’ failure-to-warn and design-defect arguments in that specific case. Additional bellwether trials are scheduled.
So, what does this mean for new claims? The defense verdict complicates but does not end the legal process. Other bellwether trials still need to be tried. Statute of limitations rules continue to apply state by state.
The overall settlement landscape remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Paragard IUD Lawsuit
What is the Paragard IUD lawsuit?
“Paragard IUD lawsuit” refers to thousands of cases alleging that the copper intrauterine device (IUD) has a design defect. That design defect allegedly causes its plastic arms to break during removal. The cases are combined as MDL 2974 in the Northern District of Georgia.
Who can file a Paragard lawsuit?
Patients who had a Paragard IUD break during removal and suffered injuries as a result may be eligible. Eligibility depends on your specific medical history and the timing of the breakage. You must also consider your state’s statute of limitations rules.
What does it cost to file a Paragard claim?
Most mass tort lawyers, including Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front. Instead, you only pay if your team wins a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Is the Paragard IUD still on the market?
Yes, Paragard is still available. The device remains FDA-approved. It’s currently marketed by CooperSurgical.
What is an MDL?
A multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a federal court procedure. It combines similar cases nationwide before a single judge for pretrial proceedings. Individual cases keep their identity and can be tried separately.
How long do I have to file a Paragard claim?
The statute of limitations varies by state. Most states give two to four years from the date of injury or discovery, but specific rules differ. Acting quickly preserves your options.
Trust Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today
Mass tort cases like the Paragard MDL move differently from a typical injury claim. They fall under different procedural rules. Plus, bellwether trials shape what happens to your case and hundreds of others.
Our trial team has handled defective product cases against major corporate defendants nationwide. Schedule a free case review today.
Reviewed by Alexander Shunnarah, Attorney and Chief Executive Officer at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys on 2026-05-12.
