Essure® Birth Control Lawsuit
Women have reported many problems that may be associated with Essure implants.
If you or a loved one had an Essure birth control implant placed and suffered injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. The Kishish Law Group can help. Contact us today for your free and confidential case evaluation by completing our contact form or by calling us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.
Tens of thousands of women have reported problems with Essure birth control devices, a permanent form of female sterilization. Since the device's release on the market in 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received 26,773 reports of problems associated with the devices.
Bayer AG, a pharmaceutical and medical device company that produces the Essure devices, maintains that the Essure system is a safe way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. In July 2018, Bayer announced they would stop selling Essure devices in the United States, citing "business reasons." After December 2018, Bayer will no longer sell Essure devices anywhere in the world.
Women harmed by this device across the country are now filing lawsuits against Bayer, claiming that they misled the FDA to allow the release of an unsafe product on the market. Complications arising from the use of this product have required women to undergo partial or complete hysterectomies or need other corrective surgeries.
Filing a case can help you and your family recover medical bills, lost wages and other expenses that you may have incurred as a result of the Essure birth control system. Joining this lawsuit can help send a message to medical device companies that they should fully test their products before exposing the public to their potentially dangerous side effects.
What are Essure birth control implants?
Essure is a type of permanent birth control implant, produced by Bayer AG and first introduced to the U.S. market in 2002. Doctors using the Essure system place small metal coils into the fallopian tubes, which are then expanded. The expansion of these coils causes an inflammation response by the body, which creates scar tissue to block the fallopian tubes and prevent sperm from reaching the eggs. When the system works as intended, Essure is an effective, minimally invasive method to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
What problems are Essure implants causing?
Women have reported many problems that may be associated with Essure implants. One well-known support group for women experiencing problems with Essure devices, Essure Problems, has cataloged several side effects that women who have had Essure implants installed have reported, including, but not limited to:
- Gynecological side effects, including pain, bleeding, cysts, and unwanted pregnancies
- Pain in other parts of the body
- Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Autoimmune disorders
- Allergic reactions
- Migration of coils and perforation of the uterus or fallopian tubes
The Bleeding Edge, a 2018 Netflix documentary, featured the stories of several women who received Essure implants. The women recall their experiences of having cramps, pain, and severe bleeding after doctors installed their Essure devices. Gabriella Avina, one woman who appeared in the documentary, is a nurse and former spokesperson for the Essure devices. After having the device installed herself, Ms. Avina began to experience adverse effects and developed several autoimmune disorders. Ms. Avina has been hospitalized many times since the installation of the device and has now testified against the safety of the device before the FDA.
Some of these adverse effects have required women to undergo surgeries like complete or partial hysterectomies and device removal surgeries. If you or your loved one had to receive an additional surgery to correct problems that might have been caused by an Essure implant or experienced migration, we want to talk to you.
Has there been a recall of Essure implants?
Essure implants were never formally recalled by the FDA, however the FDA did take action to warn patients about the risks of Essure implants before Bayer pulled the product from the market.
In 2015, in response to an outpouring of concern regarding the Essure devices by both patients and clinicians, the FDA convened a committee to discuss the risks and benefits of the Essure devices.
In 2016, the FDA issued new guidance regarding the use of devices like Essure and ordered Bayer to conduct additional testing on the safety of Essure. The new guidance required companies like Bayer to display prominent warnings of the adverse effects of these birth control devices.
In April 2018, the FDA decided to restrict the sales of Essure and ensure that women were being adequately informed of the risk of these devices. Even though the FDA's prior warnings had reduced the sales of Essure by 70% in the U.S., the FDA concluded that their prior action was not enough to make sure women were informed of the potential danger of the Essure birth control system. In a move that the FDA called "unique," the FDA mandated that all physicians review a patient brochure with patients considering Essure and that both physician and patient sign an acknowledgement of the risks of the procedure.
In July 2018, Bayer announced that they would stop selling Essure devices in the U.S., saying the decision was "not related to the litigation or safety issues." The FDA responded to Bayer's decision by reiterating that they have a received reports of "numerous adverse events" associated with the device.
After Bayer's decision, CNN reported that Bayer had paid doctors millions in "consulting fees" or other services associated with the Essure devices.
Do I have an Essure birth control case?
Contacting an experienced attorney is the best way to determine if you have a case and secure the most compensation for your injuries. Our experienced lawyers and staff can help you decide what legal options are right for you. Complete our contact form or call us toll free 1 (888) 609-4664 to receive your free and confidential case evaluation.
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Speak with a Essure Lawyer
If you or a loved one had an Essure birth control implant placed and suffered injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
Reach out to Kishish Law Group immediately to find out your legal options.
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