In a recent update U.S. District Judge Leigh May Martin announces monthly status conferences schedule for Paragard injury lawyers with multi-district litigation (MDL) court.
The Paragard IUD device is a medical device designed to provide long-term birth control to women without hormone usage. The device consists of a T-shaped plastic base with a copper wire wrapped around it, which is then implanted into the arm. The copper reacts in the body, triggering inflammation which then obstructs sperm from interacting with the female’s reproductive system.
Although the device is designed to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years, the procedure is intended to be reversible, allowing doctors to remove the IUD when a patient no longer desires it.
At present, over 200 product liability lawsuits exist, each alleging the recipients suffered due to several complications caused by the Paragard IUD breaking or fracturing upon removal by physicians. We expect this number to grow substantially, as injury lawyers continue to review and file cases, and thousands more are likely to be included in the litigation.
In December 2020 consolidated pre-trial proceedings were established, resulting in all pending and new cases being transferred to the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia, where they would appear before U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May.
In the most recent update, on June 15, Judge May issued a court order (PDF), laying out the schedule of monthly status conferences to be held through the end of 2021, as well as ordering parties to submit proposed conference plans at least three business days in advance of each date. In addition to their agendas, parties must also, within that same timeframe, submit anything requiring additional explanation.
It is also expected that Judge May will opt for a “bellwether” approach, in which the litigation will be managed via a select number of cases being chosen out of the MDL pool to be tried at an earlier date. Doing so allows parties to gauge jury responses to evidence and testimony being presented in other cases as well. Further, this approach opens the door to negotiation discussions, possibly resolving the litigation quickly, as opposed to the hundreds of trials waiting to go before juries in the years ahead.
Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo & Plotkin have successfully litigated cases against manufacturers of defective medical devices. This includes other IUDs such as Dalkon Shield, Mirena, and the Essure sterilization device. Our lawyers are investigating Paragard IUD lawsuits and continue to speak with women who have suffered due to Paragard IUD-related complications. Our firm has aggressively represented clients and has recovered over $2 billion in medical malpractice, mass tort, personal injury, and product liability cases. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a Paragard IUD and want to know if you have a lawsuit, you may speak with our law firm directly by calling us at (212) 684-1880 for a free consultation.
