Paragard IUD Lawsuit Update 2026: Trial Dates, Payout Charts & Settlement Projections

The legal battle over the Paragard Copper IUD has reached a historic turning point in January 2026. After years of delays and discovery, the first federal bellwether trial is officially set to begin, bringing thousands of women closer to justice. As of January 14, 2026, over 3,800 lawsuits are active in the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL 2974), with claimants alleging that the device’s defective design causes it to break during removal, leading to severe internal injuries and permanent infertility.

1. Major January 2026 Update: The First Trial Begins

The most critical update for 2026 is the commencement of the first bellwether trial, Richard v. CooperSurgical, scheduled for January 20, 2026, in the Northern District of Georgia.

Under the guidance of Judge Leigh Martin May, this trial will serve as a “test case” to determine how juries view the evidence against manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical. The plaintiff in this case, a Florida woman, alleges that her Paragard device fractured during removal in 2021, requiring additional surgical intervention and causing significant reproductive harm.

Key 2026 Trial Schedule:

• January 20, 2026: First Bellwether Trial (Richard v. CooperSurgical).
• March 23, 2026: Second Bellwether Trial.
• May 18, 2026: Third Bellwether Trial.

These back-to-back trials in the first half of 2026 are expected to set the benchmark for a potential global settlement later this year.

2. Estimated Paragard Payout Chart 2026

While no global settlement has been finalized as of January 2026, legal experts and prior medical device litigations (like Mirena) allow for realistic payout estimations. Payouts are expected to be categorized into “tiers” based on the severity of the injury.

Injury Category	Qualifying Conditions	Estimated Settlement Range
Tier 1 (Severe)	Hysterectomy, Permanent Infertility, Multiple Major Surgeries	$200,000 – $400,000+
Tier 2 (Moderate)	Organ Perforation, Laparoscopic Surgery, Chronic Pelvic Pain	$75,000 – $200,000
Tier 3 (Mild)	Fragment Removal without Complications, Minor Infection	$10,000 – $75,000

Note: Individual amounts will depend on the age of the plaintiff, the duration of the IUD’s use, and the specific impact on the victim’s quality of life.

3. Why are Women Filing Paragard Lawsuits?

The core of the Paragard IUD Lawsuit 2026 is a “design defect” claim. Unlike hormonal IUDs, Paragard is made of flexible plastic wrapped in copper. Lawsuits allege that:

1. Material Defect: The plastic arms of the IUD become brittle over time while inside the body.
2. Breakage during Removal: When a doctor attempts to remove the device, the arms often fracture, leaving sharp plastic shards embedded in the uterus.
3. Failure to Warn: Manufacturers allegedly knew about the risk of breakage as early as 2010 but failed to update the warning labels for doctors and patients.

4. Scientific Risks and Medical Complications

Medical evidence presented in the 2026 trials focuses on the devastating consequences of “retained fragments.” When a Paragard device breaks, victims often suffer from:

• Uterine Perforation: Fragments piercing the uterine wall and migrating to other organs.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Severe infections caused by retained foreign objects.
• Sepsis: A life-threatening response to infection that can occur if fragments are not removed promptly.
• Emergency Hysterectomy: In cases where fragments cannot be safely retrieved, doctors may have to remove the entire uterus, leading to permanent infertility.

5. Eligibility: Can You Still File a Claim in 2026?

Yes, many law firms are still accepting new Paragard cases in early 2026, but the window is closing fast. To be eligible for the $400,000 Tier 1 payouts, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

• Proven Use: Medical records showing the Paragard IUD was implanted.
• Documented Breakage: Proof (via ultrasound, X-ray, or surgical report) that the device broke during removal.
• Surgical Intervention: Documentation of the surgery required to remove the broken pieces.
• Statute of Limitations: You must file before your state’s legal deadline. In 2025, several cases were dismissed because they were filed too late, making it crucial to act immediately in 2026.

6. The Legal Landscape: MDL 2974 Growth

The Paragard MDL 2974 has seen steady growth throughout late 2025.

• Case Count: As of January 6, 2026, there are 3,800 pending cases, up from 3,500 in October 2025.
• Top 10 MDL: It is now one of the top 10 largest active mass torts in the United States.
• Corporate Pressure: With three trials scheduled in 2026, defendants Teva and CooperSurgical face massive legal pressure to settle rather than risk multi-million dollar jury verdicts.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is there a Paragard recall in 2026?

A: No, there has been no official FDA recall for Paragard as of January 2026. However, the litigation focuses on the high failure rate during removal rather than the device’s contraceptive effectiveness.

Q: How long will the 2026 trials last?

A: Each bellwether trial is expected to last between 2 to 4 weeks. We expect the first verdict by mid-February 2026.

Q: When will the Paragard settlement checks be mailed?

A: If a global settlement is reached after the spring 2026 trials, payout disbursements could begin in late 2026 or early 2027.

8. Conclusion: The Path Forward in 2026

The Paragard IUD Lawsuit 2026 is no longer a “wait and see” situation. With the January 20 trial date just days away, the eyes of the legal world are on Georgia. For the thousands of women who have suffered life-altering injuries, 2026 promises to be the year of accountability and compensation.