Defective IUD Lawsuit Attorneys
Did a defective IUD cause you serious harm? If so, contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP right away to speak with an experienced defective medical device lawyer about your rights and legal options.
An IUD (intrauterine device) is a common form of birth control inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s effective but can also cause severe side effects. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals LLC manufactures and sells the Mirena IUD linked to adverse symptoms and health problems. Women around the country have been filing lawsuits claiming that the manufacturer did not disclose the possible side effects and complications that could arise.
At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, we understand the pain and financial strain you are going through. You purchased a product you thought was safe, but it ended up causing you harm. When this happens, you have the right to seek fair compensation from the device’s manufacturer, and our skilled attorneys will be ready to help you get it.
Call us at (205) 324-1212 for a free consultation with one of our defective IUD lawsuit attorneys and get the justice you deserve.
Injuries Caused by Defective IUDs
Side effects of a defective IUD range from minor to severe. Bayer failed to provide adequate warning labels of these risks women could face with their birth control device. As a result, unusual symptoms and medical conditions have developed, requiring additional treatment to correct.
The most common problems associated with an IUD are:
- Sepsis – Life-threatening medical issue occurs when the body’s immune system responds to an infection and causes inflammation. It can result in organ failure and even death.
- Ectopic pregnancy – A fetus grows in another part of the belly instead of in the uterus. It can be fatal without the necessary medical care.
- Irregular bleeding – Heavy bleeding, spotting, and missed periods can occur.
- Perforation – The device could penetrate the cervix or uterine wall, causing it to migrate outside the uterus to other parts of the body. It could lead to infections, abscesses, and perforation of the intestines or other organs.
- Ovarian cysts – Fluid-filled sac in or on an ovary. Most cysts are harmless, but they can cause internal bleeding and severe pain if one ruptures. Some require removal with surgery.
- Infections – Bacteria from the device or during insertion could lead to infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries. This is known as a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can lead to ongoing pain and fertility issues.
- Migration – The device moves to the pelvic area or a nearby organ if it perforates the uterine wall.
- Embedment – The IUD embeds into the uterine wall, decreasing the effectiveness of the device. A doctor should remove it immediately, but it might require surgical removal. Leaving it as is could result in pregnancy.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease – Infection of the reproductive organs, causing infertility, fallopian tube damage, or death.
- Expulsion – The device falls out of the uterus partially or entirely. It’s not as effective when it’s out of place and can lead to pain and bleeding.
- Infertility – Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease could cause infertility.
Other side effects could include:
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Pelvic pain
- Mood swings
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Painful menstruation
- Headaches
If you’re suffering from any of these side effects or others, you should immediately seek medical treatment and consult Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP. While you’re attending your doctor’s appointments, we can start working on your case to determine if any of your symptoms are the result of a defective IUD. We can perform an investigation and collect relevant evidence to hold the manufacturer liable for the harm they caused.
IUD Defects That Could Be Responsible for Your Injury
When a defective product causes someone’s injuries, the manufacturer could be held liable for that person’s medical bills, suffering, and other losses. This is known as a product liability case. You could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the IUD company for selling a product that contained a defect.
Three types of defects exist. They include:
- Manufacturing defect – Errors made during the manufacturing or assembly process. Although the company used a safe design, a defect occurred, and the product left the factory that way.
- Design defect – A design flaw makes the product unreasonably dangerous and could cause injury. Despite the company manufacturing the product correctly, there’s still an inherent risk to using it due to the poor design.
- Failure to warn – Problems arising during the marketing process. The company might not provide sufficient instructions on using the product or warning labels that adequately lay out the potential side effects.
There are also three possible theories of liabilities you could use in a product liability case. They could prove that your injury resulted from the defective IUD and whether the manufacturer should be held liable. They are:
Strict liability – You might have used the IUD as the manufacturer intended, but an inherent danger resulted in your injury. It’s not necessary to prove that the manufacturer’s actions contributed to your injury as long as the following are true:
- The defect occurred during manufacturing, design, or shipping, causing the IUD to be unreasonably unsafe;
- Despite using the device correctly, the defect caused your injuries; and
- There were no substantial changes made after the IUD left the manufacturer.
Breach of warranty – Warranties are guarantees a company makes that their product meets reliability and quality standards. Two types of warranties include:
- Implied warranty – A guarantee that a product will work as the company claims.
- Express warranty – A written or verbal statement guaranteeing a product will live up to its functionality or quality expectations.
Negligence – The legal theory of negligence refers to someone’s failure to exercise a reasonable degree of care to avoid causing an injury to another person. You must prove that the manufacturer owed you a reasonable degree of care and their failure directly caused your injury.
Possible Compensation For Your Defective IUD Claim
While every defective medical device case is different, those who’ve been hurt could be owed significant compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and losses. Losses are the physical, emotional, and financial effects of an injury. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Out of pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- Medical bills
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
We won’t allow the device’s manufacturer to take advantage of you or deny your claim unfairly. We can find and submit relevant evidence that proves you sustained injuries from a defective IUD and should receive compensation for your losses. You can count on our legal team to fight by your side until the very end of your case.
Filing A Lawsuit Against the IUD Manufacturer
If Bayer knowingly sold an IUD that posed an unnecessary risk to its users, the company could and should be held accountable for the harm that consumers suffer. There seems to be evidence that the company failed to provide warning labels stating the possible side effects and medical complications women could experience. You could choose to file a lawsuit against them for the maximum financial compensation you need for the losses you suffered.
There’s a statute of limitations you must comply with if you need to file an injury claim in Alabama. The statute is two years, meaning you must file suit within two years from the date of your injury. It is a strict deadline, and if you don’t follow it, you could lose your right to seek compensation and hold the manufacturer accountable for their actions.
Contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP for a Free Consultation
At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our legal team has over 20 years of experience pursuing fair compensation on behalf of our clients who’ve been hurt. We’ve been able to recover millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements and have received recognition from various legal organizations for our case results. Our defective IUD lawsuit attorneys use all the resources at our disposal to create an effective legal strategy and reach a favorable outcome.
If your IUD contained a defect that caused your injuries, call Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP immediately at (205) 324-1212 to find out how we can help.