If your family has suffered the heartbreak of lost embryos and you suspect that contaminated in vitro fertilization (IVF) culture media from CooperSurgical is to blame, it’s essential to seek the support of experienced legal representation.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding reports from fertility clinics nationwide. Our skilled team is actively supporting families and fertility doctors affected by this contamination as they navigate their legal options related to IVF process complications.
Keep reading to learn more about the contamination lawsuit, how embryo development has been affected, and what recourse you may have going forward.
What Is the IVF Contamination Lawsuit About?
The CooperSurgical IVF contamination lawsuit pertains to the loss of embryos reportedly due to contaminated culture media sold by CooperSurgical Inc. This liquid solution, essential in the early stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF), should support cell growth from fertilization through implantation.
However, several batches have been identified as possibly contaminated and associated with a high rate of embryo degeneration within hours following fertilization, leading couples facing infertility into significant distress after investing heavily both emotionally and financially into starting or growing their families.
The embryos were said to have not made it to the blastocyst stage, according to the lawsuit.
If you’re seeking justice for the loss and hardship endured due to contaminated IVF culture media, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help hold the responsible company accountable.
Damages Sought in IVF Contamination Claims
In the lawsuits against CooperSurgical regarding their defective IVF culture media, affected families are seeking various forms of compensation for their profound losses and suffering, including:
Emotional Distress
Plaintiffs are seeking damages for the psychological impact and distress associated with the unexpected failure of IVF cycles due to contaminated culture media, as these experiences carry overwhelming grief and stress.
Medical Expenses
Compensation is being sought for all out-of-pocket medical costs incurred due to tainted IVF procedures, as well as additional funds to cover future medical expenses like fertility treatments required by this complication.
Lost Wages
Victims are also seeking lost wages for income lost due to taking time away from work for medical appointments, recovery, and emotional distress resulting from the failure of IVF cycles caused by the contamination.
Punitive Damages
To hold CooperSurgical accountable, punitive damages are being sought. These are intended to punish the company and discourage similar behavior in the future within the fertility industry.
When navigating complex and sensitive lawsuits like those involving fertility treatments gone wrong, legal expertise can make all the difference in achieving just compensation for your losses.
Do You Have an IVF Contamination Case?
Many clinics and patients have been affected by CooperSurgical’s mistakes. If you meet the following criteria, you may have an IVF contamination case against them:
- Your IVF treatment involved affected LifeGlobal culture media
- You’ve suffered a loss of embryos without clear reason during the same period covered by the recall
- Fertility clinics have communicated or confirmed the use of a CooperSurgical recalled product for your IVF treatments
Ultimately, the best way to determine if you have a case is to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible and investigate whether actions by CooperSurgical resulted in the loss of embryos.
Filing a CooperSurgical IVF Lawsuit With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
If your IVF treatment failed and you suspect it may have been due to contaminated media, don’t hesitate to contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Our knowledgeable team is ready to analyze your case and determine if you’re entitled to compensation.
We will thoroughly review the specifics of your situation to help confirm whether you have grounds to pursue a case by looking at the dates from when you received treatment to see if it was during the time that the contaminated culture was used.
We will also assess the outcome of your IVF procedures. If you experienced unexpected embryonic development issues or were informed that your embryos were nonviable without clear reasons, we will explore whether contamination of the media from CooperSurgical played a part in this unfortunate event.
If it’s shown that failed IVF treatments were linked to one of CooperSurgical’s recalled products, you could have a valid legal claim for compensation. We will work with you to gather the necessary documentation and offer the guidance needed to assert your rights against any responsible parties.
Is Pursuing Legal Action Expensive?
Pursuing legal action doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.
There are no upfront fees or costs—our payment comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict obtained on your behalf.
If you need help with a matter related to a failed IVF process, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation and discuss your next steps in the legal process.
Defendants in the Embryo Contamination Lawsuit
Several lawsuits have been filed related to CooperSurgical fertility products. In the embryo contamination lawsuit, CooperSurgical is the primary defendant. The claims raised against them are based on a few different legal principles:
- Strict Products Liability – Manufacturing Defect: This alleges that specific lots of culture media were improperly manufactured, leading directly to losses faced by plaintiffs due to unusable or damaged and irreplaceable embryos.
- Strict Products Liability – Design Defect: The lawsuit suggests that the product’s design is inherently unsafe or defective, making it likely to cause harm to developing embryos and the plaintiffs undergoing IVF treatment.
- Strict Products Liability – Failure to Warn: This claim argues that CooperSurgical did not sufficiently warn clinics and patients about potential risks involved with embryo development when using their culture media, which may have led healthcare professionals and patients to use these products unaware of the possible consequences.
- Alleged Corporate Negligence/Gross Negligence: This aspect of the lawsuit alleges that CooperSurgical did not uphold the standard of care expected in manufacturing and marketing its products, leading to significant emotional distress and financial loss for affected families.
- Negligent Failure to Recall: This argument addresses the claim that CooperSurgical was aware, or should have been aware, of the risks posed by their products, but CooperSurgical failed to act in a timely manner regarding a media recall. Their alleged negligence caused both the patients and their families significant distress.
- Unjust Enrichment: While CooperSurgical marketed and represented that its products underwent rigorous testing, this argument alleges that CooperSurgical retained financial benefit from distributing a flawed product despite the failure to ensure it met quality standards. This led to significant harm to those who used the culture media. The unjust enrichment claim demands that they make proper restitution for benefits gained at the expense of consumers’ trust and well-being.
Products Mentioned in Legal Claims Against CooperSurgical
Legal claims against CooperSurgical have identified specific products related to the reported IVF contamination incidents. These include different lots of the LifeGlobal group® Media, which are commonly used in IVF labs for embryo cultivation.
Is the Defective IVF Culture Media Recalled?
Yes, CooperSurgical released a recall for some of its products. Specifically, the LifeGlobal group® Media encompassing lot numbers 231020-018741, 231020-018742, and 231020-018743 have been identified as deficient and subsequently withdrawn from use by CooperSurgical. [1]
This recall comes in response to an increased rate of reported issues correlated with these batches, linked with failed embryonic growth, destroying viable embryos.
Couples who used these lots during IVF treatments reportedly found that the embryos were nonviable, and embryos suddenly stopped growing, leading to significant embryo loss.
The recall notification for CooperSurgical’s potentially contaminated IVF culture media was initially directed to fertility clinics rather than directly to affected patients.
As a consequence of these delayed communications, patients had no immediate knowledge about the potential harm caused by using these products; instead, plaintiffs were left awaiting information from their respective fertility clinics.
Get Started With Your CooperSurgical IVF Lawsuit Today!
If you and your family have been affected by the devastating incident involving harvesting eggs and CooperSurgical’s IVF media contamination, let Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers assist you.
We provide expert legal representation for families seeking IVF who’ve experienced devastating losses with their human embryos due to these negligent practices.
Call (888) 424-5757 or reach out to us online today to schedule a free consultation with our product liability attorneys.
Resources: [1] FDA