Manufactured and marketed by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Mirena is an FDA-approved intrauterine device (IUD) designed to provide protection against pregnancy for up to five years. The IUD is inserted by a physician by stretching the loop into a linear form and pushing it through a plastic tube into the uterus via the cervical opening. Mirena has a number of small plastic nylon threads which hang down into the vagina, allowing the doctor to see if the IUD is in its proper place. First approved in 2000, Mirena has demonstrated considerable effectiveness as a contraceptive device, and been widely prescribed to women around the country. Unfortunately, despite its success, Mirena has recently been linked to a number of serious side effects and adverse health complications.
Michael E. Schmidt, Managing Partner of Schmidt & Clark, LLP, has noticed a sizable increase in the number of inquiries to the firm related to Mirena. Mr. Schmidt stated, "Our firm has substantial expertise in the area of medical device litigation. As a result, we have recently received a number of inquiries from patients who were implanted with the Mirena IUD and subsequently developed adverse health complications."
Over the past several years, more and more recipients have reported experiencing device migration and perforation of the uterus or embedment of the IUD into the uterine wall. These Mirena complications are extremely serious, and require emergency surgical intervention to remove the device. Mirena has also been found to have the ability to travel outside the uterine cavity and cause adhesions and scarring that can lead to permanent infertility. Depending on the extent of these Mirena side effects, recipients may require a complete hysterectomy, and the most severe cases may even lead to death.
Mirena has been linked to the following adverse health complications:
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Abscesses
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Embedment in the uterus
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Erosion of adjacent areas such as the vagina
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Infertility
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Inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and internal organs (Peritonitis)
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Intestinal perforations or obstruction
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
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Perforation of the uterus
Lawsuits alleging that Mirena caused these side effects are beginning to mount in courthouses around the country. In anticipation of a flood of Mirena litigation, Bayer has requested to have the lawsuits consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Middlesex County, New Jersey. When an MDL is formed, all claims filed in federal court are consolidated before one judge for pre-trial handling. This is intended to prevent duplicate discovery and contrary decisions, and to move things through the litigation process as swiftly as possible. However, if the parties fail to reach a settlement or otherwise resolve the cases, they will be ordered back to their original jurisdiction for individual trials.
Mirena lawsuits allege that plaintiffs suffered severe physical injuries, as well as substantial pain and suffering after being implanted with the IUD. The claims also state that Bayer has a history of exaggerating the benefits of Mirena while simultaneously downplaying its potential risks. Additionally, the complaints note that claims made by Bayer’s ‘Simple Style Program,’ which marketed Mirena to the ‘busy mom’ demographic, were groundless and failed to mention serious complications such as weight gain, acne, and breast tenderness.
Michael E. Schmidt is recognized as one of Americaʼs most passionate, accomplished and skilled trial lawyers. His law firm, Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is currently accepting Mirena lawsuits in all 50 states and offers a free confidential case evaluation. To learn more about this topic and to see if you qualify to participate in a Mirena Lawsuit, please visit his website: http://www.schmidtlaw.com/mirena-lawsuit/
