Filshie Clip Migration Lawsuit Alleges Defective Birth Control Device Caused Abdominal, Pelvic Pain

Lawsuit claims Filshie Clips manufacturers failed to adequately test the devices, monitor complications or warn patients and doctors about the potential risks.

A Michigan woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a Filshie Clip migrated from her fallopian tube and was later discovered in her abdomen, causing years of abdominal and pelvic pain.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Cherylynn Vassil in Connecticut Superior Court on September 11, naming CooperSurgical Inc., The Cooper Companies Inc., Femcare Ltd. and Utah Medical Products Inc. as defendants.

Vassil claims the manufacturers knew or should have known that Filshie Clips may migrate after implantation, but failed to adequately disclose how frequently the problem occurs or warn women and their doctors about the potentially severe complications.

Filshie Clip Complications

First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1996, Filshie Clips are small titanium devices with silicone rubber linings that are placed around the fallopian tubes during laparoscopic tubal ligation. They apply pressure to the tubes, cutting off blood flow to a small section and creating scar tissue intended to permanently block the passage of an egg into the uterus.

However, a number of women in recent months have filed Filshie Clip lawsuits alleging the birth control devices migrated from their original positions, resulting in chronic pelvic pain, internal scarring, endometriosis, inflammation and other long-term health problems. The claims allege Filshie Clips are defectively designed and may require additional surgery to remove, including hysterectomies in some cases that permanently eliminate a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

Filshie Clip Migration Allegations

According to the complaint, Vassil underwent a tubal ligation procedure at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan, in approximately 2012, during which Filshie Clips were implanted for permanent birth control.

On September 13, 2023, Vassil underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove a pelvic mass. During the procedure, doctors discovered a Filshie Clip in her omentum, a fold of fatty tissue in the abdomen, and removed the migrated device.

Vassil alleges she has suffered significant physical and emotional injuries associated with the Filshie Clips, including abdominal and pelvic pain, difficult and painful bowel movements, uterine pain, stabbing pain in her abdomen and legs and pain during intercourse. She also claims she will likely require additional medical care and lives with concerns that she may experience further complications.

The lawsuit alleges the Filshie Clip was defectively designed in a manner that created an unreasonably high risk of migration, and that the manufacturers failed to conduct adequate testing, monitor post-market complications and provide sufficient warnings about problems reported after the devices reached the market.

Vassil also maintains that the companies failed to adequately report adverse events involving Filshie Clips to federal regulators and continued selling the devices despite information that allegedly showed the migration risks were greater than initially reported.

Had those risks been adequately disclosed, Vassil claims she would not have agreed to receive Filshie Clips, and her physician would have discussed the risks with her or recommended a different form of birth control.

“As a direct and proximate result of having Filshie Clips implanted in her, Plaintiff has experienced significant mental and physical pain and suffering, has sustained injuries which include or more likely than not may include any of the following: 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.”

— Cherylynn Vassil v. CooperSurgical Inc. et al.

The complaint raises allegations of violations of the Connecticut Product Liability Act. it seeks punitive damages, as well as past and future general, economic and special damages.

Filshie Clip Lawsuits

Similar Filshie Clip lawsuits are being filed in Connecticut state court, each raising allegations that the birth control devices can migrate from the fallopian tubes and cause serious injuries.

As awareness of potential Filshie Clip migration problems increases, product liability lawyers are reviewing claims for women who experienced complications after undergoing tubal ligation procedures involving the devices. Reported injuries and complications in these cases have included:

• Chronic abdominal or pelvic pain
• Internal scarring or organ damage
• Endometriosis
• Inflammation and swelling
• Painful or irregular menstrual cycles
• Filshie Clip migration requiring additional surgery
• Hysterectomy or other major surgical procedures

Women who experienced serious complications following a Filshie Clip tubal ligation procedure may be eligible to pursue financial compensation. Individuals can submit information for review by a lawyer to determine whether they may qualify to file a Filshie Clip lawsuit.

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