Filshie Clip Malfunction Lawsuit Claims Defective Birth Control Implants Caused Severe Pain

Doctors discovered two Filshie Clips had migrated out of position, requiring the plaintiff to undergo revision surgery to have them removed.

An Oklahoma woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that Filshie Clips she received as a long-term birth control device migrated out of position, causing severe pain and requiring surgery to remove the implants, despite no warning that the devices could fail in this manner.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Christina Williamson in Connecticut Superior Court late last month. It names CooperSurgical Inc., The Cooper Companies Inc., Femcare LTD and its parent company, Utah Medical Products Inc., as the defendants, claiming they sold women a defective birth control product.

Williamson argues that the Filshie Clips which were implanted in her for a tubal ligation procedure later migrated out of position and were discovered in her posterior cul-de-sac during a subsequent surgery.

Filshie Clip Risks

First approved in 1996 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Filshie clips are small implants made of titanium and silicone, which are implanted during a tubal ligation procedure. They are designed to block the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from descending to a point where they could be fertilized.

However, several women like Williamson have filed Filshie Clip lawsuits in recent months after the devices failed to remain in place, leading to severe, long-term health complications, including chronic pelvic pain, internal scarring, endometriosis and inflammation. Plaintiffs allege the clips are defectively designed and often require additional surgery to remove, sometimes including a full hysterectomy that permanently eliminates their ability to give birth.

Filshie Clip Failure Allegations

According to the complaint, neither Williamson nor her doctor were told about the risk of Filshie Clip migration when she was first implanted with the devices in August 2019.

During an October 2024 procedure, doctors discovered that Williamson’s clips had migrated from their original placement to other areas of her body, including two that moved into her posterior cul-de-sac. 

She alleges the migration caused severe chronic complications, including stabbing sensations in her abdomen and pelvis, difficult and painful bowel movements, uterine discomfort, radiating symptoms in her legs and abdomen, and pain during intercourse. Doctors removed the failed Filshie Clips during the same procedure.

“Had Defendants properly disclosed the risks associated with the Filshie Clip product, Plaintiff would not have agreed to treatment with the device. On information and belief, had Plaintiff’s implanting physician been adequately and properly warned, he would have advised Plaintiff of the risks as part of her informed consent discussion and/or would have recommended a different treatment or no treatment at all.”

– Christina Williamson v. CooperSurgical Inc. et al.

When the Filshie Clips were first approved by the FDA, the manufacturers indicated they had only a 0.13% failure rate, but Williamson and other plaintiffs say that post-marketing data suggests the failure rate is much higher.

Williamson presents claims of violations of the Connecticut Products Liability Act, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

Filshie Clip Malfunction Lawsuits

Similar Filshie Clip lawsuits have been filed in Connecticut state court in recent months, which are being closely watched to see how the litigation progresses.

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.

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