Understanding the Cooper Surgical IVF Media Contamination
In the complex process of in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture media plays a vital role. These specialized solutions provide the nutrients and optimal conditions needed for embryos to develop during their first days outside the womb. For successful IVF, the quality and safety of this media is absolutely critical.
Cooper Surgical, a major supplier of fertility products, manufactures embryo culture media used by numerous fertility clinics across Missouri and the United States. However, in late 2023, a serious problem emerged: three lots of their embryo culture media were found to be contaminated with dangerous levels of endotoxins.
The specific recalled products include:
LGGG-020: UDI-DI 00815965020044, lot 231020-018741
LGGG-050: UDI-DI 00815965020051, lot 231020-018742
LGGG-100: UDI-DI 00815965020068, lot 231020-018743
The FDA classified this as a Class I recall, their most serious category, which indicates that the contaminated products posed a significant risk of serious adverse health consequences or death to developing embryos. Reports from fertility clinics confirmed the devastating impact, with embryo development failure rates approaching 100% when these contaminated lots were used.
Endotoxins are toxic components of certain bacteria that can be released when the bacteria break down. Even at low levels, endotoxins are extremely harmful to developing embryos, typically causing complete developmental arrest. For IVF patients, this meant the loss of all their embryos from the treatment cycle.
The contamination went undetected by Cooper Surgical’s quality control processes until after the products had been widely distributed and used in numerous IVF procedures. By the time the recall was announced in December 2023, countless patients had already experienced devastating losses, with many still unaware that their failed cycles were due to product contamination rather than natural causes.
The Profound Impact of Contaminated IVF Media
Nearly 100% of embryos exposed to the contaminated media failed to develop properly, resulting in complete cycle failure for affected patients.
Many patients lost their final chance at biological parenthood due to age, diminishing ovarian reserve, or medical conditions limiting future attempts.
Families experienced deep grief and trauma upon learning their embryos were destroyed by products meant to nurture their development.
Most patients invested $15,000-$30,000 in their IVF cycle, with many receiving no refund despite the manufacturer’s negligence.
Women endured weeks of hormone injections and invasive egg retrievals, suffering physical side effects for ultimately failed treatments.
For Missouri families affected by Cooper Surgical’s contaminated media, the impact extends far beyond the immediate failure of their IVF cycle. Many face difficult decisions about whether to attempt another cycle—if that’s even possible—along with the ongoing emotional trauma of their loss. Our Cooper Surgical IVF fluid attorneys at Cofman Townsley are committed to helping these families seek the justice and compensation they deserve.
Legal Grounds for Cooper Surgical IVF Lawsuits
Cooper Surgical manufactured and distributed a defective product that was unreasonably dangerous when used as intended, making them strictly liable for the resulting harm.
Evidence suggests Cooper Surgical failed to implement proper quality control measures that would have detected the dangerous endotoxin contamination before distribution.
By selling contaminated culture media, Cooper Surgical breached both express and implied warranties that their products were safe and fit for their intended purpose.
Cooper Surgical may have delayed notifying clinics about potential contamination issues, allowing more embryos to be exposed to their defective products.
The litigation against Cooper Surgical represents an emerging area of law that addresses the unique damages associated with reproductive harm. Courts across the country have increasingly recognized the validity of claims involving reproductive technologies and the profound impact of their failure.
Affected families may be entitled to compensation for various damages, including the costs of failed IVF treatments, emotional distress, loss of genetic material, loss of reproductive opportunity, and in some cases, the costs of future fertility treatments.
At Cofman Townsley Attorneys At Law, our Missouri Cooper Surgical IVF lawyers are closely monitoring the development of these cases nationwide and are prepared to leverage their expertise to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation available under the law.
Are You Eligible for a Cooper Surgical IVF Lawsuit?
If you underwent IVF treatment between late 2022 and early 2024 and experienced unexpected embryo development failure, you may qualify to file a claim against Cooper Surgical. Our Missouri Cooper Surgical IVF fluid attorneys are helping families throughout the state determine their eligibility and pursue justice.
You may be eligible to file a Cooper Surgical IVF lawsuit if:
- You underwent IVF treatment between approximately late 2022 and early 2024
- Your fertility clinic used embryo culture media from one of the recalled lots
- LGGG-020: UDI-DI 00815965020044, lot 231020-018741
- LGGG-050: UDI-DI 00815965020051, lot 231020-018742
- LGGG-100: UDI-DI 00815965020068, lot 231020-018743
- You experienced unexpectedly poor embryo development or complete failure
- You received notification from your clinic about the Cooper Surgical recall
- You have documentation of your IVF treatment and the products used
Even if you’re unsure whether your clinic used the recalled media, our legal team can help investigate. Many fertility clinics are now reviewing their records and contacting affected patients, but you may not have been notified yet.
The contamination may have affected various stages of your IVF journey. Whether your embryos failed to develop properly in the lab, failed to implant after transfer, or resulted in early pregnancy loss, the defective culture media may have been the cause.
At Cofman Townsley, our experienced Missouri Cooper Surgical IVF attorneys will carefully evaluate your case, gathering the necessary evidence to establish the connection between your failed cycle and the contaminated media. With our help, you can pursue the compensation you deserve for your physical suffering, emotional trauma, and financial losses.
Taking Action After Failed IVF Treatment
Ask your fertility clinic if they used Cooper Surgical media during your treatment and specifically if they used any of the recalled lots.
Request complete medical records documenting your IVF treatment, including which culture media products were used during your cycle.
Keep records of all expenses related to your IVF treatment, including medications, procedures, travel, and time off work.
Legal deadlines apply, so consulting with our Missouri Cooper Surgical IVF attorneys quickly helps protect your right to compensation.
At Cofman Townsley Attorneys At Law, we understand the sensitivity and complexity of these cases. Our compassionate legal team will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring that your claim is handled with the care and attention it deserves while pursuing maximum compensation for your losses.
Start Your Case Review Now
If you’ve experienced a failed IVF cycle that may have been caused by Cooper Surgical’s contaminated media, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Our Missouri Cooper Surgical IVF fluid attorneys at Cofman Townsley are standing by to evaluate your case and help you understand your options for compensation.
Legal time limits apply to these claims, and acting promptly gives you the strongest position for recovery. Take the first step toward justice today with our free, no-obligation case evaluation.