Paragard IUD Injury Lawyers

You should not have to think twice about taking your reproductive health into your own hands, but for thousands of women across the country, choosing a Paragard IUD came with a host of hidden risks.

Paragard, sold under the brand name ParaGard®, is a non-hormonal intrauterine device. Most Paragard IUDs are small, T-shaped frames partially encased by copper wire. The copper heavily restricts the movement of sperm and can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years after installation.

However, while most Paragard IUDs cause no significant complications, many women have reported serious injuries after their intrauterine devices failed. These injuries range in severity and are associated with medical problems including internal organ damage, lacerations to the cervix, and, in some cases, infertility.

Paragard IUDs and Internal Injuries

Medical researchers believe that Paragard is, by and large, a highly effective medical device.

According to some studies, fewer than 1% of all women who receive Paragard IUDs report becoming pregnant in their first year of typical use. However, as effective as Paragard may be, its design could pose a serious risk of injury to women. Some of its most common side effects include:

1. Painful cramps;
2. Irregular bleeding during periods; and
3. Serious pain and heavy bleeding during menstruation.

Paragard IUDs can inflict much more extensive damage if they fail or are otherwise dislodged from the uterus. Failure can happen for many reasons, but it is typically believed to result from an inherent design flaw. The installation and removal of Paragard IUDs can also be dangerous. Since Paragard devices are fragile, they may shatter or break upon contact. Any fragments left behind during removal or installation can scar and irritate surrounding tissue and organs.

You may face a higher risk of failure if you:

1. Have long-lasting periods;
2. Have severe cramps;
3. Have a history of IUD failures; or
4. Are younger than 20 years old.

The Symptoms of a Paragard Failure

If and when a Paragard IUD fails, it can fall out of position and trigger potentially debilitating symptoms. These could include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Missed periods;
2. Heavy, irregular, or unexpected vaginal bleeding;
3. Vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant or distinctive smell;
4. Pain around your pelvis or in your stomach; and
5. Unexplained fever.

The Most Common Paragard Injuries

Pain and other symptoms often suggest the presence of severe internal injuries.

Paragard is currently associated with injuries, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Heavy internal bleeding;
2. Internal organ damage;
3. Damage to the uterus or its surroundings;
4. Perforations to the uterus or the cervix; and
5. Pregnancy-related complications.

Paragard failure can also worsen pre-existing medical conditions and raise women’s risk of sustaining serious bacterial infections. These infections can cause complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID. Pelvic inflammatory disease is not always severe, but it can contribute to abnormal pregnancies and trigger chronic, lifelong pain.

Asserting Your Legal Rights After a Paragard Injury

You cannot make an informed decision about which IUD to choose if you do not fully understand each product’s risks. Paragard, unlike many other IUDs, is made from a rigid plastic that can break down and degrade the longer it stays inside your body.

Paragard’s manufacturer never warned women of the potential danger despite these risks. Instead, many women were left with unexpected and life-altering injuries.

You do not have to bear the burden of recovery alone. If Paragard has hurt you, please contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your free consultation as soon as possible.