If your Paragard IUD broke during removal and left fragments inside your body, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Thousands of women have filed Paragard lawsuits alleging that the device is defective and that its manufacturer failed to warn about the risk of breakage. A Paragard lawyer can help you understand your rights, evaluate your claim, and pursue the compensation you deserve. This guide explains the Paragard lawsuits, who qualifies, what compensation is available, and how to file a claim in 2026.
What Is Paragard?
Paragard is a hormone-free, copper intrauterine device (IUD) used for long-term birth control. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984 and has been marketed as a safe, effective, and reversible contraceptive that can remain in place for up to 10 years (later extended to 12 years). Unlike hormonal IUDs, Paragard uses copper to prevent pregnancy, making it an attractive option for women who want to avoid hormones.
Paragard consists of a T-shaped plastic frame wrapped in copper wire, with a monofilament thread attached for removal. It is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider and removed by gently pulling the thread. The device is manufactured by CooperSurgical (formerly by Teva Pharmaceuticals).
Millions of women in the United States have used Paragard. For most, it worked as intended. But for thousands of others, removal turned into a painful and frightening ordeal when the device fractured — a risk the lawsuits allege was far more common than the manufacturer disclosed.
The Paragard Lawsuits: What Are Women Alleging?
Paragard lawsuits allege that the device is defectively designed and that CooperSurgical failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about the risk of breakage during removal. The core allegations include:
- Defective design: The Paragard IUD is prone to fracturing, particularly at the arms of the T-shaped frame, when a doctor pulls on the thread to remove it. Plaintiffs argue that the device's design makes it unreasonably dangerous.
- Failure to warn: The lawsuits allege that the manufacturer knew — or should have known — about the breakage risk but failed to include adequate warnings on the product label, in marketing materials, or in communications to healthcare providers.
- Underreported breakage rates: Plaintiffs' attorneys argue that the actual rate of Paragard breakage during removal is significantly higher than the rate disclosed by the manufacturer, and that the company downplayed adverse event reports.
- Negligent manufacturing and testing: Some claims allege that the company failed to adequately test the device's durability over its full 10-to-12-year lifespan, during which the plastic can become brittle.
Many lawsuits have been consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) — In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2974, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. MDL consolidation allows hundreds or thousands of similar cases to share pretrial discovery while preserving each plaintiff's individual claim. Additional cases are pending in state courts.
What Happens When a Paragard IUD Breaks?
When a Paragard IUD fractures during removal, pieces of the device — often one or both arms — can remain embedded in the uterus or migrate elsewhere. The consequences can be serious:
- Additional procedures: Hysteroscopy (a camera-guided procedure to locate and retrieve fragments), dilation and curettage (D&C), laparoscopy, or in severe cases, hysterectomy.
- Pain and bleeding: Retained fragments can cause chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, cramping, and infection.
- Organ damage: In rare cases, fragments can perforate the uterus or migrate to nearby organs, requiring surgical repair.
- Infertility risks: Scarring from retained fragments or from removal surgeries can affect future fertility.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, fear about future pregnancies, and trauma from unexpected surgeries.
- Additional medical costs: Imaging (ultrasound, X-ray), specialist visits, surgeries, and follow-up care — often totaling thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.
Some women discover the breakage only months later, when they experience unexplained pain or when imaging reveals a retained fragment. If you had a Paragard IUD removed and experienced complications, it is worth investigating whether fragments were left behind.
Who Qualifies to File a Paragard Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a Paragard lawsuit if you meet some or all of the following criteria:
- You had a Paragard IUD (not a Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, Liletta, or other IUD — Paragard is the copper IUD).
- The device broke during removal (or during attempted removal), leaving one or more fragments inside your body.
- You required medical intervention to address the breakage — such as hysteroscopy, D&C, laparoscopy, surgery, or ongoing monitoring.
- You suffered injuries or damages — physical pain, additional surgeries, medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress.
- Your claim is within the statute of limitations in your state (see below).
Even if you are not sure whether your device broke, a Paragard lawyer can help you review your medical records. Some women were told the removal was "difficult" or "incomplete" without being clearly informed that a fragment remained. Medical records, imaging reports, and procedure notes can clarify what happened.
Note: Women who used Paragard without any breakage or complications generally do not have a viable claim. The lawsuits focus on breakage and its consequences, not on the normal risks of IUD use (such as expulsion, ectopic pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease) that are disclosed in the product labeling.
What Compensation Is Available?
Paragard lawsuit compensation can cover several categories of damages:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Costs of the removal procedure, follow-up imaging, hysteroscopies, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and future medical care related to the breakage.
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering from additional procedures, attending medical appointments, or dealing with complications.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Travel to specialists, childcare during recovery, and other expenses caused by the injury.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain from the breakage, retained fragments, and additional procedures.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, fear, depression, and trauma related to the experience.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Limitations on daily activities, intimacy, exercise, or family planning caused by the injury.
- Loss of consortium: In some states, a spouse may claim damages for the impact on the marital relationship.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the manufacturer is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful disregard for patient safety, courts may award punitive damages — intended to punish the company and deter similar conduct. Punitive damages are not available in every state or every case, but they can significantly increase total compensation in appropriate cases.
Paragard Settlement Values in 2026
As of 2026, there has been no global Paragard settlement covering all cases, and the MDL is still in active litigation. Bellwether trials — representative test cases selected to gauge how juries respond — play a key role in shaping settlement expectations. Settlement values in mass tort cases like this depend heavily on the severity of each plaintiff's injuries:
- Fragment removed with minor procedure (hysteroscopy): Lower-tier cases may settle for tens of thousands of dollars, depending on medical costs and pain.
- Multiple surgeries or laparoscopy: Mid-tier cases involving more invasive procedures and longer recovery may command higher settlements.
- Hysterectomy, organ damage, or permanent infertility: The most severe cases — involving loss of fertility, major surgery, or permanent injury — typically carry the highest potential values, potentially reaching six figures or more.
These ranges are general estimates, not guarantees. Every case is evaluated on its own facts: the number and type of procedures, the severity and duration of pain, the amount of medical expenses, lost income, and the long-term consequences. A Paragard lawyer can assess where your case may fall after reviewing your medical records.
Paragard Lawsuit vs. Class Action vs. MDL
Many people confuse these terms. Understanding the difference matters:
- Individual lawsuit: Your case is filed on your behalf, and any settlement or verdict is based on your specific injuries. Most Paragard cases proceed this way.
- Class action: One lawsuit represents a large group with identical claims, and members share a single settlement. Paragard cases are generally not class actions, because each woman's injuries and damages differ.
- MDL (multidistrict litigation): Similar individual lawsuits from across the country are transferred to one federal judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings (discovery, expert testimony, bellwether trials). Each plaintiff keeps her own case and her own settlement — the MDL simply makes the process more efficient. The Paragard MDL (No. 2974) is the primary vehicle for federal Paragard claims.
Filing into the MDL does not mean giving up your individual claim. It means your case benefits from shared evidence and coordinated litigation while preserving your right to an individual resolution.
How to File a Paragard Lawsuit: 7 Steps
- Preserve your evidence. Gather medical records related to your Paragard insertion, removal, and any follow-up procedures. Keep imaging reports, operative notes, bills, and any communications with your doctor. If you still have the device or fragments, preserve them if possible. Do not discard packaging, instructions, or consent forms.
- Document your damages. Keep a timeline of what happened: when the IUD was inserted, when removal was attempted, what your doctor told you, what procedures followed, and how the experience affected your life. Save receipts for medical costs, travel, and lost wages.
- Contact a Paragard lawyer for a free case evaluation. Most mass tort attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations. They will review your records, determine whether you qualify, and explain your options. There is no upfront cost.
- Sign a contingency fee agreement. Paragard lawyers typically work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and the attorney is paid a percentage (usually 33–40%) of any settlement or verdict. If you do not recover compensation, you owe no attorney fee (though case costs may vary — ask about the firm's policy).
- Your attorney files your claim. Your lawyer will prepare and file your complaint, gather additional evidence, and — if your case is in federal court — coordinate with the MDL proceedings. You may need to complete a plaintiff fact sheet detailing your medical history and damages.
- Discovery and expert review. Both sides exchange evidence. Medical experts review your records and may testify about the device's design, the breakage mechanism, and the link between the fragment and your injuries. This phase can take many months.
- Settlement or trial. Most mass tort cases settle before trial, often after bellwether verdicts establish settlement values. If your case does not settle, it may proceed to an individual trial. Your lawyer will advise you on any settlement offer and whether to accept it.
Statute of Limitations: Don't Wait
Every state sets a deadline — the statute of limitations — for filing a product liability lawsuit. These deadlines typically range from one to six years, with most states falling in the two-to-three-year range. The clock usually starts when you knew (or reasonably should have known) that you were injured and that the device may have caused it — often the date of the failed removal or the date you learned a fragment remained.
Some states apply a "discovery rule" that can extend the deadline if you did not immediately know about the injury. Others have statutes of repose that set an absolute cutoff regardless of discovery. Because these rules vary widely and missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim, contact a Paragard lawyer as soon as possible — even if you are unsure whether you qualify.
How to Choose the Right Paragard Lawyer
- Mass tort experience: Choose a firm actively handling Paragard cases in the MDL, not a generalist who has never filed a device claim.
- Resources: Mass tort litigation requires medical experts, discovery teams, and the financial capacity to litigate against a large manufacturer. Ask about the firm's track record in similar cases.
- Communication: Your lawyer should explain the process clearly, keep you updated, and answer your questions — not leave you in the dark for months.
- Contingency fee transparency: Get the fee agreement in writing. Understand the percentage, how case costs are handled, and what happens if there is no recovery.
- No upfront fees: Reputable Paragard lawyers do not charge upfront fees for case evaluations or filing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long: The statute of limitations can expire while you "think about it." Get a free evaluation early.
- Discarding evidence: Keep all medical records, bills, and device-related materials.
- Signing releases: Do not sign any settlement release or waiver from the manufacturer, insurer, or healthcare provider without legal advice.
- Posting on social media: Defense attorneys may review public posts. Avoid discussing your case, injuries, or legal strategy online.
- Assuming you don't qualify: Even if your procedure seemed "minor," you may still have a claim. Let a lawyer review your records before deciding.
- Choosing the wrong firm: A lawyer with no mass tort experience may miss deadlines, mishandle MDL procedures, or undervalue your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file if my Paragard was removed years ago? Possibly — it depends on your state's statute of limitations and when you discovered the injury. Contact a lawyer promptly to evaluate your timeline.
What if I don't remember my removal details? Your medical records can fill in the gaps. A lawyer can help you obtain records from your provider.
Will filing a lawsuit affect my medical care? No. Filing a claim does not affect your relationship with your doctor or your ability to receive care.
Do I have to go to court? Most mass tort cases settle without a trial. If your case does go to trial, your attorney will prepare you thoroughly.
How long will my case take? Mass tort cases can take one to three years or longer, depending on MDL progress, bellwether trials, and settlement negotiations. Your lawyer can give you a realistic timeline based on the current status of the litigation.
The Bottom Line
A broken Paragard IUD can cause painful procedures, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and lasting emotional distress — none of which you should have to bear alone. If your device fractured during removal and left fragments behind, you may have a strong claim for compensation. A Paragard lawyer can evaluate your case for free, handle the legal process on a contingency basis, and fight for the recovery you deserve. Don't wait: statutes of limitations apply, and early action preserves your rights.
Disclaimer: Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice about your specific situation.
