Paragard IUD Removal Procedures Marred by Complications
Women throughout North Carolina are experiencing serious health complications after their Paragard IUD broke during removal, leaving behind fragments that required additional surgeries to extract. These traumatic complications have caused physical pain, emotional distress, and significant medical expenses for victims who were simply trying to have their birth control device removed.
Brent Adams & Associates is representing North Carolina women who have suffered from these preventable injuries. The manufacturers of Paragard—Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical—failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the substantial risk of device breakage during removal procedures.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications from a Paragard IUD breaking, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our North Carolina Paragard lawsuit attorneys at Brent Adams & Associates have the knowledge and resources to pursue justice on your behalf.
Take our quick online eligibility quiz to see if you qualify for a Paragard lawsuit.
What Is Paragard and Why Is It Dangerous?
Paragard is a non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that has been marketed as a safe, long-lasting birth control option since its FDA approval in 1984. The T-shaped copper device works by continuously releasing copper ions into the uterine environment, creating conditions that prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. Designed to be effective for up to 10 years, Paragard has been promoted as a convenient alternative to hormonal contraceptives.
The device consists of a flexible plastic frame with copper wire wrapped around the vertical stem and two horizontal arms that help anchor it within the uterus. In theory, when a woman decides to have the device removed, a healthcare provider should be able to grasp the strings attached to the base and extract the intact IUD in a simple office procedure.
However, thousands of women have experienced a serious and painful complication: the arms of the Paragard device can become brittle over time and break off during removal attempts. When breakage occurs, fragments can become embedded in the uterine tissue, requiring more invasive procedures to remove, including:
- Hysteroscopy (using a camera to locate and remove fragments)
- Laparoscopy (more invasive surgery requiring abdominal incisions)
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)
- In severe cases, hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus)
A 2022 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology documented that Paragard breakage occurs at significantly higher rates than manufacturers have acknowledged. The FDA adverse event database contains more than 3,000 reports of device breakage, yet the warning label mentions this risk only briefly and inadequately.
This failure to properly warn has left North Carolina women unprepared for potentially severe complications, including uterine perforation, infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even permanent fertility issues when fragments migrate to other organs or cannot be completely removed.
Legal Basis for Filing a Paragard Claim
North Carolina women injured by Paragard have strong legal grounds for seeking compensation. Brent Adams & Associates is pursuing several legal theories to hold the manufacturers accountable:
The manufacturers provided inadequate warnings about the significant risk of device breakage during removal, preventing women and doctors from making informed decisions.
Evidence suggests the Paragard IUD was designed with materials that become dangerously brittle over time, creating an unreasonable risk of breakage during normal removal.
Quality control issues in the manufacturing process may have contributed to the device’s tendency to fracture when removed as directed.
The manufacturers failed to conduct adequate testing to identify the breakage risk before marketing the device to millions of North Carolina women.
Who Qualifies to File a Paragard Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a Paragard lawsuit if you meet these specific criteria:
First, you must have had a Paragard IUD inserted for contraceptive purposes. Your medical records should document both the insertion and subsequent complications. Women who received their Paragard after 2010 generally have stronger claims in the current litigation.
Second, you must have experienced one of these specific complications:
- The Paragard device fractured during removal, with one or both arms breaking off
- You required an additional surgical procedure to remove broken Paragard fragments
- The device broke spontaneously while still implanted, necessitating surgical intervention
Additional qualifying factors include:
- Removal occurred in 2017 or later (earlier removals generally don’t qualify)
- The device was in place for less than the recommended 10-year maximum
- You did not receive another Paragard IUD after experiencing complications
The Paragard attorneys at Brent Adams & Associates understand that these complications go beyond physical injuries—they can cause emotional trauma, financial hardship, and significant disruption to your daily life. Our free online case evaluation will help determine if your situation qualifies you for compensation under North Carolina law and guide you through the next steps with compassion and legal expertise.
Steps to Take After Paragard Complications
If you’ve experienced complications from a broken Paragard IUD, taking these important steps can protect both your health and legal rights. Brent Adams & Associates recommends North Carolina residents follow this guidance:
Work with healthcare providers who specialize in reproductive health to ensure all fragments are removed and complications are properly treated.
Request and preserve all medical records related to your Paragard insertion, removal attempts, and subsequent treatments to establish your case.
Ask your doctor to preserve any removed Paragard fragments and take photographs, as physical evidence significantly strengthens claims.
North Carolina’s statute of limitations restricts the time available to file your claim, making it essential to speak with Brent Adams & Associates quickly.
Get Your Instant Online Case Evaluation
Don’t wait to seek justice if you’ve been harmed by a broken Paragard IUD. North Carolina law limits the time you have to file your claim. Brent Adams & Associates offers a free, instant online case evaluation to quickly determine if you qualify for compensation. Take action now to protect your rights and join other North Carolina women demanding accountability from Paragard’s manufacturers.