Copper 7 IUD Lawsuit: Your Rights in New York

The Copper 7 IUD (also called the Cu-7) was a copper intrauterine device sold in the United States from the 1970s through the mid-1980s by G.D. Searle & Co. Thousands of women reported serious injuries including pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine perforation, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Lawsuits alleged the manufacturer knew of these risks but failed to adequately warn patients and physicians.

Most Copper 7 IUD claims arose decades ago, and the primary wave of litigation concluded in the 1980s and 1990s when G.D. Searle withdrew the device and settled thousands of cases. However, if you suffered ongoing complications, received a recent diagnosis causally linked to the device, or were only recently able to discover the connection between your injury and the IUD, New York’s discovery rule under CPLR §214-c may extend the filing window. An attorney can evaluate whether your specific circumstances allow a claim.

Under CPLR §214, New York generally allows three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For latent injuries caused by exposure to a substance — which can include IUD-related complications that were not immediately apparent — CPLR §214-c may start the clock from the date you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury and its cause. Because these rules involve nuanced fact-specific analysis, you should consult a New York personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Victims who establish a valid product liability claim in New York may seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. New York does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases. No specific outcome can be guaranteed, as results depend on the facts, evidence, and defenses in each individual case.