Paragard IUD Lawsuit Calculator
MDL 2974 (N.D. Ga., Judge Leigh Martin May) — 3,926 active cases. Copper IUD fractures on removal → perforation, fragments retained, hysterectomy. First bellwether DEFENSE verdict January 2026
⚠ MDL 2974: First bellwether DEFENSE VERDICT Jan 20 2026 (Rickard v. Teva). 3,926 active cases. #2 bellwether March 2026, #3 May 2026.
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Paragard IUD — Active Bellwether
Paragard, copper intrauterine device manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals + CooperSurgical, fractures upon removal. Arms or fragments break off inside uterus, requiring surgical removal — causing uterine perforation, internal migration of fragments, scarring, and in some cases hysterectomy.
MDL 2974 (N.D. Ga., Judge Leigh Martin May) — 3,926 active cases as of March 2026. First bellwether (Rickard v. Teva): DEFENSE VERDICT January 20, 2026. Jury rejected claims that Teva failed to warn or defectively designed the device. Second bellwether scheduled March 3, 2026; third May 11, 2026.
Defense verdict in first bellwether weakens plaintiff negotiating position but does not end litigation. If subsequent trials favor plaintiffs, settlement dynamic shifts. No global settlement + no publicly known settlement offers. Projected settlement ranges (IF subsequent bellwethers favor plaintiffs): fracture + additional retrieval procedure $25K-$75K; surgical removal + complications $75K-$200K; perforation + infertility + hysterectomy $200K-$750K+.
Paragard IUD FAQs
What happened in the first Paragard trial?
DEFENSE VERDICT January 20, 2026 in Rickard v. Teva. Jury found Teva NOT liable for failure to warn or design defect. Teva argued the label warned of fracture risk — jury accepted that defense. Plaintiff appeals possible but fact-intensive challenge difficult.
Does one defense verdict mean I should drop my case?
No — bellwether outcomes inform but do not bind other plaintiffs. Two more bellwethers scheduled (March + May 2026). If plaintiffs win subsequent trials, settlement dynamic shifts. Consult your attorney about your individual case's strengths.
What Paragard injury qualifies for a lawsuit?
Documented IUD fracture during or after removal, with medical records. Fragment retention requiring surgery. Uterine perforation. Need for hysterectomy. Infertility linked to fragment complications. Must have surgical records showing Paragard-related intervention.
Does removal difficulty alone qualify?
No — documented fracture with complications is typically required. Simple difficulty removing (without breakage) is not grounds for lawsuit. You need medical imaging + surgical report confirming fracture + subsequent complications.
I had Paragard for years without problems. Does fracture on removal still qualify?
Yes — the fracture event itself is the qualifying injury, regardless of how long the IUD was successfully in place. Many plaintiffs had Paragard for 5-10 years without symptoms, then fractures occurred during routine removal.
Which IUD brands are covered?
Paragard only — this MDL does not cover hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, Liletta). Paragard is the only copper IUD sold in US. If you had hormonal IUD complications, separate litigation may apply.
When might a global settlement happen?
Given the defense verdict, global settlement talks are unlikely before 2027 at earliest. Depends on bellwethers #2 (March 2026) + #3 (May 2026). If plaintiffs win, settlement discussions likely accelerate. If defendants win again, litigation may stall.
Do I need to keep the broken IUD pieces?
No — medical imaging + surgical records are sufficient. Pathology reports from fragment retrieval + operative notes are the key evidence. Hospital often keeps removed devices, but you don't need personal custody.