Bayer class action: Judge rules contraceptive device not responsible for harming women
A contraceptive device did not directly cause chronic pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding in women, a judge has found.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Andrew Keogh handed down his decision on Tuesday, marking the end of a years-long class action against Bayer Australia and five other companies.
The class action, led by Victorian Patrice Turner, claimed women suffered harm as a direct result of the Essure device being implanted into their bodies.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ms Turner underwent a hysterectomy at 32, five years after the contraceptive device was inserted into both of her fallopian tubes.
She claimed she suffered severe pelvic pain and heavy uterine bleeding, which resolved after she underwent the major abdominal surgery.
Ms Turner and the other class action members alleged Bayer Australia and the other companies involved in Essure’s design, manufacturing and marketing breached a duty of care.
Justice Keogh found Ms Turner and the class action members could not make their claims out.
He said he was not satisfied they established the Essure device caused inflammation, and subsequent pain and abnormal bleeding in women.
The case went to trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in 2023.
The contraceptive device was discontinued by Bayer for commercial reasons in 2017.
