EAST ST. LOUIS — A woman is suing the manufacturers of Paragard, alleging she had to undergo a hysterectomy to fully remove the intrauterine device.
Georgia Motter filed a complaint May 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Teva Women's Health LLC, individually and as successor in interest to Teva Women's Health Inc., Duramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a division of Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., doing business as Teva Women's Health Inc., The Coopersurgical Inc., and others, alleging negligence, strict liability design defect and manufacturing defect, failure to warn, fraud and other claims.
According to Motter's complaint, she was implanted with the defendant's Paragard birth control device in 2004. She alleges that in 2012, her physician, while following the instructions provided by Teva, was only able to remove a portion of the device due to one arm missing. Motter claims she suffered "excruciating pain" in her abdomen and pelvis and "had numerous hospital visits to no avail."
Motter further claims that in February 2021, she had to undergo laparoscopy surgery to remove the missing arm of the Paragard and that a hysterectomy was required to remove the arm. She alleges the defendants failed to provide any warning about Paragard's risks and potential breakage upon removal and failed to use "reasonable care" in the manufacturing and design of the device.
Motter seeks compensation of more than $75,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Bruce Taubman of Cleveland, Ohio.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division case number 3:21-CV-00486