Table of Contents
Infertility affects many couples worldwide, impacting their dreams of starting or expanding their family. While the journey to parenthood is easy for some, others face obstacles due to various fertility issues. In recent years, advancements in medical technology have created new ways for those struggling with infertility.
Modern reproductive technologies offer a range of solutions. Such a modern technology is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This has become a beacon of hope for many. But some legal issues show the complexities and challenges of these new advancements.
Before delving into the specifics of this CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit, it’s important to understand In Vitro Fertilization and the process.
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is a sophisticated set of processes that has the potential to result in pregnancy. This process involves fertilizing an egg outside the body and then implanting the embryo into the uterus.
IVF is a medical procedure to help couples conceive when natural methods fail. The process involves four steps:
Superovulation: The woman takes fertility drugs to boost egg production, monitored by ultrasounds and hormone tests.
Egg Retrieval: Eggs are surgically removed from the woman’s ovaries using a thin needle guided by ultrasound. This is a minor procedure done in the doctor’s office, and the woman may experience some cramping. The surgical procedure is performed 34–36 hours prior to ovulation and following the last dose of fertility medication.
Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are mixed with the man’s sperm in a laboratory dish through insemination. In some cases, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used, if fertilization chances are low.
Embryo Transfer: The fertilized eggs develop into embryos, which are monitored for proper growth. Some of the fertilized embryos reach the blastocyst stage. This stage is the best time to transfer the embryos into the uterus. Healthy embryos are transferred into the woman’s womb 3-5 days after fertilization. This is a simple procedure done in the doctor’s office. Multiple embryos may be transferred, increasing the chance of pregnancy, and unused embryos can be frozen for future use.
CooperSurgical and IVF Media
CooperSurgical Fertility is a company well known for IVF and reproductive genetics. It offers a wide range of products and services for assisted reproductive technology (ART).
CooperSurgical Recall
On December 5, 2023, CooperSurgical initiated an urgent recall of its “LifeGlobal global® Media,” specifically for the lot numbers
- 231020-018741
- 231020-018742
- 231020-018743
Only the reproductive clinics using the faulty items received notification of the recall. CooperSurgical did not contact the affected patients; only the clinic has informed the patients that the poisonous solution has damaged their reproductive therapy.
This recall was taken after embryologists reported unusual patterns of embryo development, where a significant number of embryos failed to reach the blastocyst stage. These developmental issues were linked to the CooperSurgical media culture used in the IVF process.
Additionally, a series of lawsuits have been filed against CooperSurgical and its parent company, Cooper Companies. Let’s see about the lawsuits filed against CooperSurgical IVF solutions.
CooperSurgical IVF Lawsuit on Embryo Culture Media
Two Los Angeles couples have filed lawsuits against CooperSurgical Inc. in California state court, alleging that a toxic solution provided by the company for In Vitro Fertilization procedures destroyed their developing embryos.
These couples, who couldn’t have children, used a young woman’s eggs to create 34 embryos. They worked with a fertility clinic and an egg donor, expecting viable embryos, but none of the embryos turned out to be usable. Unfortunately, all the embryos died. The issue was linked to CooperSurgical’s embryo culture media. This was identified after an investigation by the lab director and communication with other embryologists who experienced similar problems.
They are suing CooperSurgical Inc., a company in Trumbull that makes fertility products, for providing a harmful product that the plaintiffs say caused the embryos to die. The CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit says this product was used to grow the embryos but was contaminated.
The couple had tried many times to have children and thought they would finally be parents. They had gone through four attempts at in-vitro fertilization before using the donor eggs. The lawsuit explains that getting eggs for this process is hard and uncomfortable.
The lawyer believes this case is not the only one and expects more embryo loss lawsuits.
CooperSurgical has recalled the media but hasn’t made the recall public. The company says it focuses on quality and compliance and has started the recall while investigating the issue.
The lawyer mentioned that CooperSurgical is a big company in this field, working in 20 countries. The problem was noticed when the embryos didn’t develop properly, and a lab director raised concerns in online forums, leading to discoveries of similar issues elsewhere.
Legal Claims against CooperSurgical
The CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit alleged that the companies were negligent in several areas, including the marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of the embryo media.
Additionally, the legal actions claim that the companies were slow to recall the defective media, contributing further to the loss of embryos. These lawsuits essentially accuse CooperSurgical and Cooper Companies of being responsible for the loss of embryos due to their alleged negligence.
The recall of the affected embryo culture media was issued to fertility clinics but not directly to clients, leading to concerns about the full extent of the problem. Tracey Cowan, the counsel for the plaintiffs, criticized the fertility industry for prioritizing profits over clients’ dreams and expressed hope that the company would take responsibility and address the issue. The Cooper Co. has yet to respond to the allegations.
The CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit centers on allegations that one of its IVF solutions has caused complications in producing the expected outcomes. While the details of the case are complex, the focus of the issue lies in whether CooperSurgical’s product was directly responsible for these outcomes, and if so, whether this was due to a product defect or inadequate instructions for use.
The case comes under several claims, including product liability, negligence, and gross negligence, because CooperSurgical’s product was inherently flawed. Product liability laws require companies to ensure their products are safe when used as intended. The plaintiffs allege that the IVF solution had defects that the company should have known about and addressed.
The plaintiffs argue that they were not adequately informed about the potential risks and success rates associated with the use of CooperSurgical’s IVF products.
What to Do If You Are Affected?
It is appropriate to hold the company responsible for the loss of embryos from CooperSurgical embryo culture media. By making them accountable for the harm they have caused, filing a CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit ensures that justice is done.
If you are affected by the CooperSurgical embryo culture medium, it is crucial to discuss your case and consider your legal alternatives with skilled attorneys. They may assist you in figuring out the best course of action for you and helping you comprehend the complexities of these embryo loss lawsuits.
Legal action against individuals accountable for the loss of embryos from CooperSurgical embryo culture media can provide you and your families with much-needed compensation. This covers compensation for other losses, pain and suffering, missed income, and medical costs. Filing a CooperSurgical IVF lawsuit helps spread the word about the loss of embryos through CooperSurgical embryo culture medium.
To wind up,
Individuals seeking to have children through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) must be aware of the issues associated with the procedure. While these technologies offer hope, they also come with certain challenges. Companies involved in IVF should prioritize ensuring safety, efficacy, and adherence to the highest standards of ethics.
