Copper-7 litigation

In 1988, Mike and Roberta were lead trial counsel in the Copper-7 litigation, where they represented over 100 women who were injured as a result of the use of the Copper-7 intrauterine device.  Two of the clients’ cases were tried.  In September of 1989, a Minnesota jury awarded $8,750,000 in the case of Kociemba v. G. D. Searle. Ms. Kociemba was rendered infertile as a result of an infection from the Copper-7 contraceptive. Of the verdict, $8 million was punitive damages and $750,000 were compensatory.  In March of 1989, Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel in McCarthy v. G. D. Searle & Co., the second bellweather Copper-7 trial.  The case was confidentially settled just prior to closing argument.  In the summer of 1989, the G. D. Searle Co. settled the cases of all remaining clients. As in the A.H. Robins litigation, Mike led the preparation of a public brochure which categorized and listed all discovery that was obtained during the course of the litigation. This discovery was provided without charge to any attorney who requested it.