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Litigation Stage Tracker
Active FilingEmerging
Formation
Active Litigation
Maturation
<45
45–55
55–70
70+
Paragard IUD
BorderlineFILINGMDL 2750Device
3,600+
Total Cases
Causation
Plaintiffs allege the Paragard IUD's polyethylene frame becomes brittle after prolonged implantation, causing the device arms to fracture during standard removal procedures. The T-shaped design creates stress points at the arm-body junction that weaken over time. Fractured pieces embed in the myometrium, requiring hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or hysterectomy for removal. FDA MAUDE database documents hundreds of breakage reports. Plaintiffs argue defendants knew of the breakage risk from post-market surveillance data but failed to update warnings, modify the design, or instruct physicians on modified removal techniques.
Defendants
| Entity | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Teva Pharmaceuticals | Former Manufacturer | Manufactured and marketed Paragard before sale to CooperSurgical |
| CooperSurgical Inc. | Current Manufacturer | Acquired Paragard from Teva in 2017 for $1.1B — current label holder |
| The Cooper Companies | Parent Company | Parent of CooperSurgical — assumed Paragard product liabilities |
Litigation Timeline
1984
Paragard IUD first approved by FDA
2017
CooperSurgical acquires Paragard from Teva for $1.1B
2020
First wave of breakage lawsuits filed in federal courts
2023
Bellwether discovery pool selected
2025
Mediation initiated — global settlement discussions
2026
3,600+ cases pending. Mediation ongoing
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Key Facts
- Status
- active
Geographic Exposure
·N.D. Ga. (MDL 2974, Judge May)
·Nationwide filing — all 50 states
·Parallel state court actions in NJ and CA
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Had a Paragard copper IUD implanted
- ✓Device broke during removal attempt
- ✓Required surgical intervention to remove retained fragments
- ✓Suffered perforation, infection, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility
- ✓Experienced heavy bleeding or pain from embedded device fragments