As of August 30, 2026, the litigation has moved forward on several fronts. The first Paragard bellwether trial ended earlier this year in a defense verdict for Teva, and the case count in MDL 2974 had grown to 4,156 pending lawsuits as of August 3, 2026. Judge Leigh Martin May has rescheduled the second bellwether trial for September 28, 2026, while a third trial remains paused pending an interlocutory appeal to the Eleventh Circuit over a federal preemption issue tied to warning-label requirements. No global settlement has been reached.
Last updated: August 2026
Thousands of women have filed claims in the Paragard IUD lawsuit, alleging the copper intrauterine device breaks apart inside the body during removal and causes serious injuries. As of 2026, this litigation is one of the largest active medical device mass torts in the United States.
The cases center on one core claim: the device was defectively designed, and its manufacturer knew or should have known it could fracture.
In this article, you will find the 2026 case status, who qualifies, what the potential payouts look like, how settlements are calculated, and what deadlines you need to know about right now.
Over 10,000 cases have been consolidated into federal court. That number makes this lawsuit impossible to ignore.
What Is the Paragard IUD Lawsuit?
The Paragard IUD lawsuit is a product liability case alleging that the Paragard copper IUD is defectively designed and breaks during removal, leaving fragments embedded in a woman’s body.
Women across the country say the device’s plastic arms snap off when doctors attempt to remove it. Those broken pieces can migrate into surrounding tissue, organs, or the uterine wall.
Injuries from this fragmentation have required follow-up surgeries, hysteroscopies, and in severe cases, full surgical intervention to recover embedded pieces.
| Core Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Product defect type | Design defect and failure to warn |
| Device involved | Paragard T 380A (copper IUD) |
| Primary injury | Device breakage during removal |
| Manufacturer named | CooperSurgical Inc. / Teva Pharmaceuticals |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia |
Plaintiffs argue that manufacturers marketed the device as safe and easily removable when internal testing and reports showed a clear fragmentation risk.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit 2026 Update: Where Things Stand Now
As of 2026, the Paragard IUD lawsuit remains active in federal court under MDL 2974, with no global settlement agreement reached yet.
The litigation entered a critical phase in late 2025 and early 2026, with bellwether trials being prepared to test how juries respond to the core claims. Bellwether cases are essentially trial runs. They set the tone for how all remaining cases might settle.
Judge Leigh Martin May has been managing the docket in the Northern District of Georgia, overseeing case management orders and pushing the litigation toward resolution.
| 2026 Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Total cases in MDL | 10,000 plus |
| Bellwether trial preparation | Ongoing as of early 2026 |
| Global settlement | Not yet reached |
| Court jurisdiction | N.D. Georgia, MDL 2974 |
| Primary defendants | CooperSurgical, Teva |
New cases continue to be added to the MDL regularly. If you experienced Paragard-related injuries and have not yet filed, 2026 may be your last clear window before deadlines begin cutting off eligibility.
Key stat: Over 10,000 individual cases are pending in MDL 2974 as of early 2026.
The Paragard Copper IUD Lawsuit: What Makes This Device Different
The Paragard copper IUD lawsuit is distinct from other IUD cases because Paragard contains no hormones. It relies entirely on copper to prevent pregnancy.
The device is T-shaped with two plastic arms that bend upward during insertion. When a doctor removes it, those arms are supposed to fold back down smoothly. In thousands of reported cases, they did not. They snapped.
Think of it like trying to fold a plastic straw that has become brittle over time. Once it is in the body for years, the plastic changes, and it does not bend the way it is supposed to.
| Device Feature | How It Works | The Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Copper wire coil | Toxic to sperm | N/A |
| Plastic T-frame | Holds shape inside uterus | Becomes brittle over time |
| Plastic arms | Fold for smooth removal | Break during removal |
| Arm design | Supposed to flex | Snaps under standard withdrawal pressure |
Plaintiffs argue the plastic used in the frame was never adequately tested for long-term stress fracture risk, particularly in patients who had the device for several years.
Is This a Paragard IUD Class Action Lawsuit?
The Paragard IUD litigation is not a traditional class action lawsuit. It is structured as a multidistrict litigation, also called an MDL.
This is a common source of confusion. Many people searching “Paragard IUD class action lawsuit” expect to automatically be included in a group settlement. That is not how this works.
In an MDL, each plaintiff has their own individual case. Those cases are grouped together for efficiency in discovery and pre-trial proceedings. But when it comes to settlement or trial, each person’s injuries and damages are evaluated separately.
| Type | How It Works | Who Gets Money |
|---|---|---|
| Class Action | One case, shared settlement | Divided among all members, often small amounts |
| MDL | Individual cases grouped | Each plaintiff compensated based on their own injuries |
| Paragard Structure | MDL 2974 | Individual settlements based on injury severity |
This distinction matters because your payout in the Paragard MDL is based on your personal injuries, not split from a shared pool.
Key Takeaway: The Paragard litigation is an MDL, not a class action, meaning your individual injuries determine your compensation, not a shared group settlement.
Paragard Class Action vs. MDL: What Is the Difference?
A class action and an MDL are two completely different legal vehicles, and understanding the difference helps you know what to expect from this case.
In a class action, one lawsuit represents hundreds or thousands of people who suffered nearly identical harm. Everyone is treated the same. Payouts are usually small because the pot is divided equally.
An MDL groups similar cases together only for pre-trial purposes. Each plaintiff retains their own claim. A woman who needed a hysterectomy due to Paragard fragments will receive a very different settlement than someone who needed only a single follow-up procedure.
| Feature | Class Action | MDL (Paragard Structure) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of lawsuits | One | Thousands, consolidated |
| Individual injury consideration | No | Yes |
| Settlement amount | Shared, usually small | Individualized |
| Best for | Consumer fraud, overcharges | Personal injury, medical harm |
| Paragard case type | Not applicable | Yes, MDL 2974 |
The Paragard MDL structure actually benefits seriously injured women because their cases are not diluted by less severe claims.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit Eligibility: The Basic Requirements
You may be eligible for the Paragard IUD lawsuit if you used the Paragard T 380A and experienced documented complications during or after removal.
The core eligibility requirements focus on whether you used the specific device, whether it broke, and whether you suffered an injury as a result of that breakage.
Generic eligibility alone is not enough. Courts and defendants will require medical documentation showing the device broke and that you sought treatment.
| Eligibility Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Device used | Paragard T 380A copper IUD |
| Device failure | Breakage or fragmentation during removal |
| Medical documentation | Records showing injury and treatment |
| Timeframe of use | Generally any period; consult attorney for specifics |
| Injury type | Physical harm requiring medical intervention |
Women who had the device removed without complications are generally not eligible, even if they experienced other side effects during use.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit: Who Qualifies to File a Claim?
Women who had the Paragard IUD break during removal and required medical treatment for resulting injuries are the primary candidates for filing a claim.
Qualification is more specific than most people expect. Simply using Paragard is not enough. You need to show the device broke and that the breakage caused measurable physical harm.
The strongest cases involve women who experienced one or more of the following:
- Device arms breaking during attempted removal
- Retained fragments requiring surgical removal
- Perforated or damaged uterus from migrating pieces
- Infections resulting from embedded fragments
- Injuries requiring hysterectomy or other significant surgery
- Infertility or reproductive harm attributed to the device failure
Women who fit multiple criteria above generally have stronger claims and higher potential settlement values.
Cases where the device was removed without complication, even if the woman experienced side effects during use, are typically not included in the MDL.
Key stat: Cases involving surgical intervention for fragment removal are considered high-tier claims in the litigation.
Paragard IUD Broken During Removal: The Core of the Lawsuit
The Paragard IUD breaking during removal is the central allegation driving every single case in this litigation.
The removal process is supposed to be simple. A doctor grasps the device’s strings and pulls downward. The plastic arms flex inward and the device slides out. That is how it works when the design functions correctly.
In thousands of reported cases, the arms snapped instead of flexing. Fragments stayed inside the body. Patients were sent back for additional procedures, sometimes multiple surgeries, to locate and remove broken pieces.
| Stage of Removal | What Should Happen | What Allegedly Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Initial pull on strings | Arms flex downward | Arms resist and snap |
| Device extraction | Smooth withdrawal | Partial extraction only |
| Post-removal check | Device intact | Fragments detected in imaging |
| Follow-up treatment | None needed | Surgery required to retrieve pieces |
Plaintiffs argue this failure pattern was not random. They contend it was a predictable result of a plastic formulation that was not designed to withstand years of use inside the human body.
Paragard IUD Injuries and Side Effects Driving the Lawsuit
The injuries at the center of the Paragard IUD lawsuit go well beyond discomfort. They are serious, documented physical harms that often required multiple rounds of medical care.
Side effects that occurred during use, like cramping or heavier periods, are generally not the focus of these lawsuits. The litigation specifically targets injuries from device failure, not routine copper IUD side effects.
The injuries driving the highest-value claims include:
- Uterine perforation from migrating device fragments
- Embedded plastic pieces requiring hysteroscopy or laparoscopy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease linked to fragment-related infections
- Damage to surrounding reproductive organs
- Chronic pelvic pain from retained device components
- Loss of fertility or need for hysterectomy
Key Takeaway: Only injuries caused by device breakage or fragmentation qualify for the Paragard lawsuit, not general side effects experienced during normal use.
Is There a Paragard Recall Lawsuit?
There is no official FDA recall of the Paragard IUD, and no “Paragard recall lawsuit” exists as a separate legal action.
This is a point of confusion for many people. The Paragard device has never been formally recalled by the FDA or by its manufacturer. The litigation is based on product liability and design defect claims, not on a recall.
Some injury litigation does follow FDA recalls, but the Paragard lawsuits were filed independently of any regulatory action. Plaintiffs allege the device was defective from the start, regardless of what the FDA has or has not done.
| Common Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Paragard was recalled” | No recall has been issued |
| “I need a recall to file” | No recall needed for a product liability claim |
| “The FDA flagged it as unsafe” | Adverse event reports filed but no recall order |
| “Recall lawsuit = my claim” | Claims are based on design defect, not recall |
The absence of a recall does not weaken individual claims. Product liability law allows injured consumers to sue even when a product has not been recalled.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit Settlement Amount: What to Expect
No global settlement has been announced in the Paragard IUD lawsuit as of 2026, so there is no confirmed payout figure yet.
That said, legal analysts and mass tort veterans have estimated potential settlement ranges based on injury severity and comparable medical device cases. These are projections, not guarantees.
Cases in medical device MDLs typically settle in tiers based on how serious the injury was and how much documented harm the plaintiff can prove.
| Injury Tier | Type of Harm | Estimated Settlement Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Minor) | Single follow-up procedure, no surgery | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Tier 2 (Moderate) | Surgery required to remove fragments | $50,000 to $150,000 |
| Tier 3 (Severe) | Hysterectomy, infertility, organ damage | $150,000 to $400,000 plus |
| Tier 4 (Exceptional) | Catastrophic outcomes, long-term disability | Potentially higher, case by case |
These figures are based on comparable MDL outcomes, not on any announced Paragard settlement. Actual amounts will depend on how bellwether trials perform.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit Payout: How Compensation Is Calculated
Compensation in the Paragard IUD lawsuit is calculated based on multiple factors tied to the severity and impact of each individual’s injuries.
This is not a lottery. The more documented harm you can show, the higher your potential compensation. Courts and defendants look at specific categories of damages.
Factors that affect your payout include:
- Severity of injury: Did you need one outpatient procedure or a full hysterectomy?
- Medical expenses: All costs related to the Paragard-related injury and treatment
- Lost income: Did you miss work for recovery or ongoing treatment?
- Pain and suffering: Documented physical and emotional distress
- Long-term impact: Fertility loss, chronic pain, or ongoing medical needs
- Strength of evidence: Quality of medical records and documentation
| Damages Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Economic damages | Medical bills, lost wages, future care costs |
| Non-economic damages | Pain, suffering, emotional distress |
| Punitive damages | Possible if manufacturer misconduct is proven |
Punitive damages, which are designed to punish a defendant rather than just compensate the victim, are harder to win but could significantly increase total payouts in cases where misconduct evidence is strong.
Key Takeaway: Your Paragard lawsuit payout is tied directly to the type and severity of your injuries, so gathering complete medical records is the single most important thing you can do right now.
Paragard MDL Lawsuit Update: Case Count and Court Activity
MDL 2974, formally titled In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation, is being managed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
As of early 2026, the case count has surpassed 10,000 individual plaintiffs. That number has grown steadily since the MDL was established in 2020.
The court has been focused on discovery, expert witness designations, and selection of bellwether cases. Bellwether trials are the clearest sign that litigation is moving toward either trial verdicts or global settlement talks.
| MDL Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| MDL Name | In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation |
| MDL Number | 2974 |
| Court | N.D. Georgia, Atlanta Division |
| Cases pending | 10,000 plus as of 2026 |
| Presiding judge | Judge Leigh Martin May |
| Current phase | Bellwether trial preparation |
Once bellwether results come in, attorneys on both sides will have a clearer picture of what a fair global settlement looks like. That is when major resolution talks typically begin.
How to File a Paragard IUD Lawsuit in 2026
Filing a Paragard IUD lawsuit in 2026 starts with connecting with an attorney who handles mass tort and medical device product liability cases.
You do not file directly into the MDL yourself. Your attorney files a complaint on your behalf, and it is then transferred and consolidated into MDL 2974 in Georgia.
Here is what the process looks like step by step:
- Gather your medical records. You need documentation of the Paragard device, its insertion, its removal attempt, and any injuries or follow-up treatment.
- Contact a mass tort attorney. Look for firms with specific experience in medical device MDL cases, not just general personal injury.
- Case evaluation. The attorney reviews your records to determine whether your injuries meet the eligibility criteria for the MDL.
- Complaint filing. If your case qualifies, your attorney drafts and files a complaint.
- Transfer to MDL. The case is transferred to the Northern District of Georgia and consolidated with other Paragard cases.
- Discovery phase. Both sides exchange evidence, medical records, and expert opinions.
- Potential settlement or trial. The case moves toward resolution through settlement negotiations or, if necessary, trial.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Collect medical documentation |
| Step 2 | Consult mass tort attorney |
| Step 3 | Attorney evaluates eligibility |
| Step 4 | Complaint drafted and filed |
| Step 5 | Case joins MDL 2974 |
| Step 6 | Discovery and expert testimony |
| Step 7 | Settlement or trial |
Acting in 2026 matters because statutes of limitations in many states are closing in on cases from earlier years.
Paragard IUD Lawsuit Deadline 2026: Do Not Miss This Window
Filing deadlines for the Paragard IUD lawsuit vary by state and depend on when your injury occurred or when you reasonably discovered it.
Every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Most range from two to four years from the date of injury. In medical device cases, the clock often starts from when you knew or should have known the device caused your injury.
If your Paragard broke during removal in 2022 and your state has a three-year statute of limitations, your window may close in 2025 or 2026. Waiting is not a strategy.
| State Examples | Statute of Limitations |
|---|---|
| California | 2 years from discovery |
| Texas | 2 years from injury date |
| New York | 3 years from injury date |
| Florida | 2 years from discovery |
| Illinois | 2 years from injury date |
| Georgia | 2 years from injury date |
Note: These figures are general references. The exact deadline in your case depends on your specific injury date, state of residence, and when you first connected the injury to the device.
The discovery rule, which says the clock starts when you reasonably discovered the harm, can extend deadlines. But courts interpret this differently, and you should not count on it saving you if you delay.
Key stat: Filing a claim now preserves your rights even if a global settlement is still months away.
Key Takeaway: Statute of limitations deadlines are state-specific and will begin closing off claims in 2026 for women injured in 2022 or earlier, making immediate action a priority.
Who Is the Lawsuit Against? Understanding the Paragard Defendants
The primary defendant in the Paragard IUD lawsuit is CooperSurgical Inc., a subsidiary of The Cooper Companies, which acquired the Paragard device from Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2017.
Both companies appear in many of the lawsuits because plaintiffs allege that defective design issues existed before and after the acquisition. Teva manufactured and sold the device for years before selling it. CooperSurgical took over and continued selling it.
Plaintiffs argue that both manufacturers had access to adverse event reports, internal data, and medical literature suggesting the device posed a fragmentation risk during removal. The core allegation is that they chose not to warn doctors or patients adequately.
| Defendant | Role | Period of Liability |
|---|---|---|
| Teva Pharmaceuticals | Original manufacturer | Prior to 2017 |
| CooperSurgical Inc. | Acquired Paragard in 2017 | 2017 to present |
| The Cooper Companies | Parent company of CooperSurgical | Indirect involvement |
Lawsuits against medical device manufacturers typically focus on three legal theories: defective design, defective manufacturing, and failure to warn.
The Paragard lawsuits primarily lean on defective design and failure to warn. Plaintiffs say the plastic formulation was flawed and that neither company gave adequate warnings about the risk of breakage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Paragard IUD lawsuit settlement amount per person?
No official global settlement has been announced as of 2026, so there is no confirmed per-person amount yet.
Estimates based on comparable MDL cases range from $10,000 for minor injuries to over $400,000 for severe outcomes like hysterectomy or infertility.
Your individual settlement will depend on your injury tier, medical expenses, and the strength of your documentation.
Who qualifies for the Paragard IUD lawsuit in 2026?
Women who used the Paragard T 380A copper IUD and experienced device breakage during removal may qualify.
Qualifying injuries include retained fragments, uterine perforation, required surgery, infection from embedded pieces, and fertility loss.
Women who had the device removed without complications are generally not eligible, even if they experienced side effects during use.
Is the Paragard IUD lawsuit a class action or an MDL?
The Paragard IUD lawsuit is a multidistrict litigation, or MDL, not a class action.
In an MDL, each plaintiff has their own case evaluated individually based on their specific injuries.
This structure means your settlement is based on your personal harm, not divided from a shared pool like a class action.
What injuries are covered in the Paragard IUD lawsuit?
Injuries covered include device breakage during removal, retained plastic fragments, uterine perforation, infections from embedded pieces, and surgery to retrieve fragments.
Severe injuries like hysterectomy and fertility loss are also included and typically result in higher compensation tiers.
General side effects from using the device, like cramping or heavier periods, are not covered in the current litigation.
What is the filing deadline for the Paragard IUD lawsuit in 2026?
Filing deadlines vary by state, with most states setting a two to three year statute of limitations from the date of injury or discovery.
Women injured in 2022 or 2023 in states with a two-year limit may be approaching or at their deadline in 2026.
Consulting a mass tort attorney immediately is the only way to know your exact deadline based on your state and injury date.
Your Next Step in 2026
The Paragard IUD lawsuit is moving through a pivotal phase right now. Bellwether trials are being prepared. Case counts are past 10,000. And settlement talks could accelerate the moment those trial results come in.
If you used Paragard and experienced complications during removal, the window to file is not permanent. Statutes of limitations are real, and missing your state’s deadline means losing your right to compensation entirely.
Pull together your medical records. Find a mass tort attorney with MDL experience. Get your case evaluated before 2026 deadlines begin closing the door on earlier claims.
