Mirena IUD Lawsuit

On November 20, 2012, the FDA’s Adverse Event Report noted that through June 2012, women had filed 45,000 complaints about the Mirena IUD. Approved in 2000, the Mirena is a popular form of birth control, but in the past few years, an alarming number of women have reported serious Mirena side effects, including device dislocation and excessive vaginal bleeding.

The first Mirena IUD lawsuit was filed in April 2012 by a woman in Ohio who had to go through a hysteroscopy to remove the device after it migrated from the location in which it was implanted. Since then, many more women have filed lawsuits all over the country. The litigation is growing so quickly that Mirena IUD lawyers in Pittsburgh recently petitioned the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate all federal cases into one court.

What Is A Mirena IUD?

Manufactured by Bayer, the Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped device that when inserted into the uterus, gradually releases the progestin hormone “levonorgestrel.” The hormone thickens the cervical mucus and thins the lining of the uterus, preventing the sperm from reaching the egg and partially suppressing ovulation.

The FDA approved the Mirena as a birth control device in 2000 and later approved it again for use in women who suffered from heavy menstrual bleeding. Bayer marketed the device as being a more convenient option compared to birth control pills, particularly for busy moms who didn’t want to bother with the daily ingestion of a pill.

What Are The Potential Mirena Side Effects?

Post-marketing reports indicated that Mirena side effects could be very serious. Patients who are implanted with the device may have an increased risk of:

  • Migration of the device into other organs
  • Uterine wall perforation
  • Infection
  • Infertility
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embedment in the uterine wall
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Pregnancies resulting in miscarriage
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC) which can cause blurred vision, permanent blindness, dizziness, ringing in ears, and severe headaches/migraines

Sometimes, women have to undergo complicated surgeries to remove the devices. A 2011 article, for instance, published in the Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, reported on two cases of Mirena migration. In the first case, the device had moved to the patient’s abdomen, and in the second, it had moved to a position near the diaphragm. Doctors had to surgically remove both devices.

A Mirena IUD Lawyer Can Help

Women who have been injured by the Mirena IUD may benefit from a consultation with a Mirena IUD lawyer. Most plaintiffs who file a Mirena IUD lawsuit claim that Bayer failed to provide adequate warnings about the health risks, and was also negligent in conducting safety studies on the device.

Bayer requested the centralization of all New Jersey cases into Middlesex County in August 2012, but the New Jersey Supreme Court recently denied that request without explanation. Mirena lawyers have also recently petitioned for consolidation of all federal cases, which could help increase the efficiency of pre-trial proceedings.

Considering A Mirena IUD Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has experienced these types of injuries, a Mirena IUD lawyer at Chaffin Luhana can help. We have decades of experience fighting for women’s rights concerning defective medical devices and will work hard to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free and confidential case evaluation at 1-888-316-2311.