IUD Migration & Fracture

An IUD is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus. Most are removed without trouble, but some perforate the uterus, move into the abdomen, become embedded or break during removal and leave a piece behind. Thousands of federal Paragard cases are coordinated in multidistrict litigation. An IUD lawyer looks at the brand, how and when the problem happened and what it took to fix.

How an IUD is supposed to work

An intrauterine device is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus. The copper IUD sold as Paragard has a polyethylene frame about 32 by 36 millimeters, copper on the stem and arms, and two threads that hang into the vagina to help with checking and removal. The frame contains barium sulfate so it shows up on an x-ray1. Hormonal IUDs are different products with their own labels; a problem described for one brand doesn't automatically apply to another.

Paragard's label says it can stay in place for up to 10 years. To remove it, a provider pulls gently on the threads with forceps, and the arms fold up as it comes out. The label tells providers to make sure the device is intact after removal1.

Migration, expulsion, embedment and fracture

These words describe different problems, and a review keeps them separate:

The label's postmarketing list includes device breakage. Those reports come from a population of uncertain size, so they don't show how often breakage happens or prove a device caused a problem1.

Missing strings don't prove migration

Strings that can't be felt can mean several things: the strings moved up, the IUD was expelled, or the IUD moved. The label recommends imaging, such as an x-ray, to confirm whether the device is still in the uterus1. Never try to remove an IUD yourself.

When breakage happens during removal

A common pattern in IUD fracture claims is an IUD that breaks while being removed, leaving a piece behind. The label notes that breakage or embedment can make removal difficult and lists tools that may help, including hysteroscopy, a procedure that uses a small camera in the uterus1. A retained piece may need imaging to find and another procedure, sometimes surgery, to take out.

A review asks when the break happened, whether the provider checked that the device was intact, where the fragment ended up and what it took to remove it.

Paragard at a glance

Type

Copper IUD with a polyethylene T-frame1.

How long it can stay

Up to 10 years.

Removal check

The label says to confirm the device is intact.

Breakage

Listed in postmarketing reports; reported with embedded devices.

Paragard litigation

Federal Paragard cases are coordinated in multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 2974, before Judge Leigh Martin May in the Northern District of Georgia. The JPML's Nov. 2, 2026 report lists 4,104 actions pending and 4,658 total2. An MDL coordinates pretrial work for individual cases. It is not a class action and doesn't mean a settlement is available or that any particular claim will succeed3.

Who may have an IUD claim

• An IUD that broke during removal and left a fragment
• An IUD found outside the uterus on imaging
• Surgery, such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy, to retrieve a device or fragment
• Injury to the bowel, bladder or other organs
• Hysterectomy or other major surgery tied to the device

A perforation at insertion and a breakage at removal raise different questions. One may focus on how the device was placed; the other may focus on the device itself.

Who may be responsible

An investigation may look at the company that made and sold the specific IUD brand, based on its design, labeling and history. A provider's insertion or removal technique is a separate question under medical malpractice rules.

Filing deadlines for IUD lawsuits

Deadlines depend on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. Examples:

• Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death4.
• California: two years for injury to or death of a person caused by another's wrongful act or neglect5.
• New York: three years for personal injury6, with a separate rule that runs from discovery for injuries caused by the latent effects of exposure to a substance in the body7.
• Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death8, and most product liability claims must be brought within 15 years of the product's sale9.

When the clock starts can depend on when a person knew, or should have known, about the injury and its possible cause. Rules for minors, wrongful death and claims against public hospitals can differ. A device that was part of an earlier settlement can raise its own questions. Ask a medical device attorney to check the rules for your state early, before records are lost.

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Records that help an IUD review

Records worth gathering

The device

• Brand and lot number
• Insertion date and notes

Removal

• Removal notes, including whether the device was intact
• Imaging showing any fragment
• Retrieval operative report

Injury

• Records of organ injury or infection
• Pathology
• Follow-up care

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a review works

1. Tell us what happened

   Share what you remember about the IUD, the problem and the treatment that followed. You do not need every record first.

2. We identify the device

   We work to confirm the maker, model and lot or serial number, and whether any recall or safety notice covers it.

3. We gather records

   With your permission, we request operative reports, imaging, device data and other records from your providers.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.

Not every hard removal means a defective IUD. What the records say about how and when the device broke or moved is what matters.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Terms you may see in an IUD case.

IUD terms

Copper IUD

An IUD that uses copper and contains no hormones1.

Strings or threads

Thin threads attached to the IUD that hang into the vagina.

Complications

Embedment

An IUD stuck partly in the muscle of the uterus.

Retained fragment

A piece of a device left in the body after removal.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen.

Procedures

Hysteroscopy

Using a thin camera inside the uterus to see and remove objects.

Laparoscopy

Surgery through small cuts in the abdomen with a camera.

Questions

IUD lawsuit questions

Short answers to the questions people ask first.

Does a missing string mean my IUD moved?

Not necessarily. Strings can move up, or the IUD can be expelled. Imaging is used to find out where it is.

What is the difference between migration and expulsion?

Migration means the IUD ended up outside the uterus. Expulsion means it came out partly or fully through the cervix.

Can an IUD break during removal?

Yes. Paragard's label notes breakage of embedded devices during non-surgical removal and lists breakage in postmarketing reports.

Do I need an IUD lawyer if a piece was left behind?

If a fragment was retained and you needed more procedures, an IUD lawyer can review your records.

Is there a Paragard class action?

Federal Paragard cases are in multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 2974, which coordinates individual cases. It is not a class action.

Do Paragard issues apply to hormonal IUDs?

No. Hormonal IUDs are different products with their own labels.

Can I remove an IUD myself?

No. Removal should be done by a health care provider.

How long do I have to file an IUD lawsuit?

It depends on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. An IUD attorney can check your dates.

What records matter most?

The brand, insertion and removal notes, imaging and any retrieval surgery report.

What does it cost to contact CBW Law?

Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story

If your IUD moved, broke or needed surgery to remove, an IUD attorney can review what happened.

Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about IUD complications. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. A difficult removal, a perforation or a retained fragment does not, by itself, establish that a device was defective or that anyone is legally responsible. Never try to remove an IUD yourself. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.