Over the past few years, many women have been injured by the Paragard copper intrauterine device (IUD). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received thousands of reports of Paragard breakage. Our firm has been filing lawsuits for injured women since 2020, and we continue to file lawsuits into 2026.
The first trial for a Paragard breakage case just started: Pauline Rickard v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. et al., case number 1:21-cv-03861, and In Re Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation, case number 1:20-md-02974, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Pauline Rickard, a Florida medical assistant, had a Paragard IUD implanted in May 2012. In 2021, during what was intended to be a routine removal, the device allegedly broke, with pieces (the “T-arms”) remaining in her uterus. This necessitated follow-up surgery to retrieve the fragments. Our firm has decades of experience litigating birth control devices and is investigating claims made arising from Paragard IUD Injury.
As of January 2026, there are over 3,800 suits filed which are consolidated before Judge Leigh Martin May in Atlanta. Teva filed pre-trial motions to dismiss the case, but Judge May agreed with plaintiffs that there was a failure to warn, defective design and other liability issues. Very importantly, Judge May suggested negligence by Teva could amount to evidence supporting punitive damages, which punish a defendant whose conduct was grossly negligent or intentional. These are on top of any compensatory damages.
From pre-trial motions, the plaintiffs will claim that Teva was aware of the IUDs fracturing at the time of removal. There were no warnings to patients or doctors that this could happen. Internal documents show that a Teva safety employee, Dr. Siyu Liu, noticed breakage and fracture adverse events which may have warranted the need for more warnings.
Contact us today online by filling out the contact form on this page, or by telephone at (212) 684-1880 to speak with a knowledgeable New York defective medical device attorney.
A settlement mediator (often performing duties like a settlement master) was assigned to the Paragard IUD Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 2974). Judge Leigh Martin May appointed M. Gino Brogdon, Sr. (a retired judge) to serve as the mediator to oversee and facilitate settlement negotiations between the parties. The mediator’s role is to foster productive settlement talks to potentially resolve claims out of court before or during trials. As of January 2026, no global settlement has been reached. Negotiations are expected to continue alongside the first trial dates.
Paragard (Copper T 380A), a T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD), was developed in the 1970s by the Population Council and Finishing Enterprises, Inc. Since the 1970s, Paragard has never been redesigned, even though there have been tremendous scientific and technological developments with medical devices.
ParaGard is a small, plastic T-shaped intrauterine device placed in the uterus to provide long-term prevention of pregnancy until it is removed, which is done after ten years or earlier. It is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, which was sold to Cooper Companies bought the rights to in 2017.
The device utilizes copper to induce an inflammatory reaction, thus preventing fertilization and pregnancy. Paragard is inserted through the cervical opening in a process that only takes only a few minutes. The company’s website indicates that it has fewer side effects than other methods of birth control, but does not mention complications that many women have had.
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The following is a list based on FDA reports and lawsuit filings, which include hospitalizations, general authorization:
Our experienced legal team at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman has successfully litigated cases against manufacturers of defective medical devices. Our lawyers are investigating Paragard IUD lawsuits and are speaking with women who have been negatively impacted by Paragard. Our firm has aggressively represented clients and has recovered over $2 billion in medical malpractice, mass tort, personal injury, and product liability cases.
To see if you have a Paragard lawsuit, please use the contact form located on this page in order to receive a free consultation. Alternatively, you may speak with our law firm by calling (212) 684-1880.
