The French government last week recommended that women in France who have PIP’s silicone gel-filled implants get them removed by their surgeons after the implants appeared to have an unusually high rupture rate. Other countries, including Britain and Brazil, said women should visit their surgeons for checks.
A critical question is why the FDA’s warning didn’t trigger greater scrutiny of PIP’s activities by regulators in France and elsewhere. Officials at the FDA and France’s health regulator were not available for comment on Monday on whether the FDA shared information about its inspection of the PIP plant, though the warning letter was made public in 2000.
While no one has been criminally charged in this case, a French court may be pressing fraud charges against 4-6 ex-PIP employees.
As for the patients, they may have a viable case to sue the manufacturer for the cost of a second surgery to remove the implants as well as the pain and suffering and emotional distress associated with such a procedure For those less fortunate, who actually experienced poisoning from the implant (some say cancer is a risk), they may have a cause of action for serious personal injuries.
If you have or recently had a PIP breast implant and have questions about your consumer rights, contact attorney Alexandra Filutowski.
Copyright © 2012 The Filutowski Law Firm, PLLC. Disclaimer: This page is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. An attorney-client relationship is not created or continued.
