Paragard IUD Lawsuit Lawsuit in California

Paragard cases from California are filed directly into MDL 2974 — In re Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation — pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, before the Honorable Leigh Martin May. MDL 2974 consolidated over 20,000 Paragard claims from across the country. Upon filing, cases are transferred to N.D. Georgia for coordinated pretrial proceedings under the Case Management Orders issued by Judge May; individual cases return to home districts only for trial.

California Statute of Limitations: California CCP § 335.1 establishes a 2 years limitations period for personal injury and product liability claims. California's discovery rule under CCP § 340.5 (medical device context) tolls the period until the plaintiff discovered or reasonably should have discovered the Paragard arm fracture and its connection to her injuries.

Transfer to N.D. Georgia MDL: Plaintiffs' counsel typically file California Paragard cases directly in the Northern District of Georgia to enter MDL 2974, or file in California federal court and receive transfer via JPML conditional transfer order. Either path results in cases being managed under Judge May's pretrial docket. California plaintiffs are subject to the MDL's Plaintiff Fact Sheet requirements and the bellwether trial selection process.

California has the nation's largest population of reproductive-age women and one of the highest IUD usage rates, driven by strong Medi-Cal coverage and a robust network of Planned Parenthood and federally qualified health centers. Copper IUD preference is especially prevalent in communities seeking hormone-free contraception.