Teva Wins First Paragard Lawsuit Trial in Blow for Thousands of Cases
In a development that could impact thousands of people, Teva Pharmaceuticals has prevailed in the first Paragard lawsuit bellwether trial.
Bellwether trials serve as test cases for mass litigations. This was a closely watched trial, with more than 3,800 lawsuits pending in federal court over claims that the IUD can break upon removal.
Following a multiweek trial, an Atlanta jury sided with Teva and determined that the company could not be blamed for failing to warn users of these potential risks.
This does not mean that the wider Paragard litigation has failed. Two more bellwether trials are expected, giving plaintiffs more opportunities to prove their claims.
But more wins for Teva in those upcoming cases could be damaging to the wider litigation.
Paragard Lawsuits Claim IUD Broke Upon Removal
The Paragard IUD is a popular birth control method and the only copper IUD available in the United States. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can be used for up to 10 years.
The device is inserted and removed by a physician. Thousands of lawsuits claim that it can break upon removal, potentially leaving parts of the device stuck in a patient’s body, where it can cause injuries.
The Food and Drug Administration previously launched a safety review of the device following thousands of reports of issues such as breakage.
The Paragard label was updated in 2024 to include language regarding a potential breakage risk.
With thousands of lawsuits still pending, the outcome of the two remaining bellwether trials will be closely followed.
