Families across America pursuing fertility treatment have been devastated by the discovery that contaminated Cooper Surgical embryo culture media destroyed their precious embryos and their hopes for parenthood. In late 2023, Cooper Surgical recalled several lots of embryo culture media after discovering dangerous levels of endotoxins that proved fatal to developing embryos.
For affected families nationwide, this recall came too late. Many had already experienced failed IVF cycles, losing their embryos to a product that was supposed to nurture new life. The emotional toll is immeasurable—couples invested their hopes, dreams, and financial resources in what may have been their final opportunity to have biological children.
The impact extends beyond emotional devastation. Families typically invested $15,000 to $30,000 per IVF cycle, often without insurance coverage. Women endured weeks of hormone injections, invasive procedures, and physical discomfort—all undermined by a contaminated product that destroyed rather than supported their embryos.
At Griffin Law PLC, our Cooper Surgical defective IVF fluid attorneys understand the profound grief families are experiencing. With a nationwide reach, we’re committed to helping you seek justice and compensation for all you’ve lost due to these defective products, regardless of where you live.
Understanding the Fatal Flaws in Contaminated Culture Media
In vitro fertilization success depends entirely on carefully controlled laboratory environments. Cooper Surgical’s embryo culture media serves as the life-sustaining medium for embryos during their critical first days of development, providing essential nutrients and maintaining the precise conditions needed for cellular growth.
The contaminated products—specifically lot numbers 231020-018741, 231020-018742, and 231020-018743—contained elevated levels of endotoxins that proved lethal to developing embryos. These bacterial toxins create conditions that are fundamentally incompatible with embryo survival, typically resulting in complete developmental arrest.
The FDA classified this as a Class I recall—their most serious designation—indicating that exposure to these products may cause “serious adverse health consequences or death” to embryos. In practical terms, fertility clinics across the country reported catastrophic failure rates approaching 100% when using the affected media.
For patients, the impact was immediate and devastating. Many experienced the unexplained failure of all their embryos, with clinics reporting that embryos simply stopped developing when cultured in the affected media. Most affected patients had already completed the most challenging parts of the IVF process—hormone stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization—only to have all potential embryos destroyed by the contaminated culture media.
Medical research confirms that endotoxin exposure is particularly harmful to early embryo development. Embryologists report that embryos exposed to these toxins typically arrest development within 24-72 hours, resulting in complete cycle failure. For many patients, particularly those of advanced maternal age or with diminished ovarian reserve, this represented not just a failed cycle but potentially their final opportunity to have biological children.
The Devastating Consequences of Contaminated Media
Patients experienced near-total failure rates, with most or all embryos failing to develop when exposed to the contaminated culture media.
For women with advanced maternal age or limited egg reserves, the contaminated media may have eliminated their opportunity for biological parenthood.
Families experienced profound grief and psychological trauma after learning their embryos were destroyed by products meant to support life.
Families typically invested $15,000-$30,000 per IVF cycle, often paying entirely out-of-pocket with no refund options after failure.
Women endured intensive hormone treatments, painful egg retrievals, and physical side effects for ultimately failed treatment cycles.
These impacts represent just some of the hardships faced by families nationwide affected by Cooper Surgical’s defective IVF media. Our Cooper Surgical IVF fluid lawyers at Griffin Law PLC understand that no compensation can truly make up for your lost opportunity to build your family, but we believe these companies must be held accountable for the profound harm they’ve caused.
Legal Foundation for Cooper Surgical Claims
Federal regulations and state laws hold manufacturers strictly liable for defective products that cause harm when used as intended.
Evidence suggests Cooper Surgical failed to implement adequate quality control that would have detected the contamination before distribution.
The contaminated media breached both express and implied warranties that these products were safe and suitable for their intended purpose.
The company may have delayed notifying clinics when contamination was first detected, allowing more embryos to be exposed to the defective media.
While this specific type of case—involving embryo culture media—is relatively new to the courts, legal precedent in cases involving reproductive harm provides a solid foundation for these claims. Courts across the country have recognized the unique nature of reproductive injuries and the profound emotional impact they cause.
In similar cases involving defective products that resulted in reproductive harm, courts have awarded substantial damages for both economic losses and emotional distress. These precedents will help guide the legal strategy for Cooper Surgical IVF fluid cases.
As more affected families come forward nationwide, we expect these cases may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation to address common factual questions while preserving each family’s individual claims. This approach allows for more efficient handling of evidence while ensuring that each family’s unique circumstances are considered.
Our Cooper Surgical IVF fluid attorneys at Griffin Law PLC are closely monitoring these legal developments and building strong cases for our clients across the country. We understand the complex and sensitive nature of these claims and are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for affected families.
Determining Your Eligibility for a Claim
If you underwent IVF treatment between late 2022 and early 2024 and experienced an unexpectedly failed cycle, you may be eligible to file a claim against Cooper Surgical. Our Cooper Surgical IVF fluid lawyers can help determine if your case meets the criteria for legal action, regardless of which state you live in.
You may qualify for a Cooper Surgical IVF lawsuit if:
- You underwent IVF treatment that failed between late 2022 and early 2024
- Your fertility clinic used culture media from one of these 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 unusual or unexpected embryo development failures
- You received notification from your clinic about the Cooper Surgical recall
- You have documentation of your IVF treatment
You have documentation of your IVF treatment
Even if you’re uncertain whether contaminated media was used in your treatment, our firm can help investigate. Many fertility clinics nationwide are reviewing their records to identify affected patients, but some individuals may remain unaware that their failed cycle was due to contaminated media rather than natural causes.
The impacts of this contamination could have affected various stages of your IVF journey. Whether your embryos failed to develop properly in the laboratory, failed to implant after transfer, or resulted in early pregnancy loss, the defective culture media may have been responsible.
At Griffin Law PLC, we understand the sensitive nature of these claims and handle each case with compassion and discretion. Our Cooper Surgical IVF attorneys have the resources and experience to thoroughly investigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve, no matter where you’re located.
Essential Actions for Affected Families
Contact your fertility clinic to confirm whether they used any of the recalled Cooper Surgical media lots during your IVF treatment.
Request complete copies of your medical records, including laboratory reports showing which culture media was used during your cycle.
Connect with counseling services and support groups experienced in fertility loss to help process the emotional trauma you’ve experienced.
Each state has different deadlines for product liability claims, so consulting with a Cooper Surgical IVF lawyer promptly protects your rights.
At Griffin Law PLC, we understand that taking legal action may feel overwhelming when you’re already coping with the emotional aftermath of a failed IVF cycle. Our compassionate Cooper Surgical IVF attorneys will guide you through each step with sensitivity and care, allowing you to focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities of your case.
Verify Your Eligibility Today
If your IVF treatment failed due to contaminated Cooper Surgical media, you deserve answers and compensation. Our Cooper Surgical IVF fluid lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and help you understand your options. Our simple eligibility check takes just moments and can be your first step toward accountability.
Don’t delay. Time limits apply to these claims, and acting promptly gives you the best chance at recovery.
