Filshie Clip Lawsuit Alleges Device Migration Caused ‘Stabbing Pains’ in Woman’s Abdomen and Legs

Woman says the birth control implant was found to have migrated into the posterior cul-de-sac of her fallopian tubes and had to be surgically removed.

A Virginia woman is pursuing a product liability lawsuit against the makers of Filshie Clips, alleging the permanent birth control implant migrated from her fallopian tubes and required surgical removal.

Stormy Dodson brought the complaint (PDF) in Connecticut state court late last month, naming CooperSurgical Inc., The Cooper Companies Inc., Femcare LTD-UK, a subsidiary of Utah Medical Products Inc., and Utah Medical Products Inc. as defendants.

Filshie Clips are small implants first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. Made of titanium and silicone, the clips are implanted through a tubal ligation procedure to block the fallopian tubes, theoretically resulting in permanent contraception.

However, a number of Filshie Clip lawsuits have been filed by women like Dodson, claiming the devices are defectively designed, failing to remain in place and instead migrating inside the body to cause severe, long-term complications. These lawsuits often describe similar injuries, including chronic pelvic pain, internal scarring, endometriosis and inflammation, often leading to the need for additional operations to remove the clips, with some plaintiffs requiring major surgical intervention such as a full hysterectomy.

Dodson indicates she was first implanted with Filshie Clips in September 2018 as a form of permanent birth control. The lawsuit notes that neither she nor her healthcare providers were warned about the true risks of migration and injury associated with side effects of Filshie Clips.

However, last June, doctors discovered that one of Dodson’s Filshie Clips had migrated out of position, from its place in the right fallopian tube into the posterior cul-de-sac. They removed both of the clips as a result.

Dodson indicates she suffered debilitating injuries and physical pain due the problems, including “abdominal and pelvic pain, difficult and painful bowel movements, pain in and around her uterus, stabbing pains in her abdomen and legs, and pain during intercourse.” The lawsuit notes that she will likely need additional medical procedures and now lives in constant worry that the Filshie Clip migration will cause additional complications in the future.

When first approved, the manufacturers told the FDA that Filshie Clips had only a 0.13% incidence of migration. However, according to the complaint they knew that rate was much higher, as they watched the incidence rates climb in post-marketing surveillance data once the clips were in circulation.

“Despite these increases, Defendants failed to address the Filshie Clips safety issues, even though adverse event reports did or should have alerted them to a product defect causing the device to cause injuries.”

– Stormy Dodson v. CooperSurgical Inc. et al

The lawsuit presents claims of violations of the Connecticut Products Liability Act and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

Filshie Clip Migration Lawsuits

Dodson’s is one of several Filshie Clip migration lawsuits filed in Connecticut state court in recent months. These cases are being watched closely, as how they develop may have a significant impact on how future Filshie Clip claims are litigated.

For example, defendants in an earlier case moved that claims against them be dismissed on grounds that the companies have no significant ties to Connecticut.

In an April 4 ruling, Judge W. Glen Pierson agreed that those claims could be dismissed against Femcare Ltd. (UK), Utah Medical Products Inc. and The Cooper Companies Inc., referencing an earlier decision which held that non-resident plaintiffs cannot bring product liability claims in Connecticut against companies with no in-state operations. However, the Judge also ruled that claims against CooperSurgical could move forward, since that entity is based in Trumbull, Connecticut.

As public awareness increases regarding Filshie Clips and the risks of migrations and potential injuries and complications, attorneys are actively investigating Filshie Clip lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have suffered serious injuries after undergoing tubal ligation procedures involving the device. Common complications reported in these cases include:

• Chronic pelvic or abdominal pain
• Organ damage or internal scarring
• Endometriosis
• Inflammation and swelling
• Painful or irregular menstrual cycles
• Device migration requiring revision surgery
• Hysterectomy or other major surgical intervention

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a Filshie Clip, submit information for review by a lawyer who can help determine if you may be eligible for financial compensation through a potential Filshie Clip lawsuit settlement.