Two women have filed lawsuits in Los Angeles against medical device maker Allergan over its Biocell textured breast implants that have been linked to cancer. According to an NBC Los Angeles news report, the complaints brought by Hilary Corts and Cari Dietzel allege that Allergan spent decades neglecting to properly advise consumers about the risks linked to the implants and concealed or misrepresented other dangers. Allergan has sold these implants all around the world, and the products have been implanted in women both for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.
The woman alleged in her lawsuit that the implants carry a heightened and undisclosed risk of developing a type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma or BIA-ALCL. This is a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The lawsuits also state that Allergan has repeatedly dismissed, diminished or downplayed the issue in spite of knowing about the cancer risk for years.
Cancer Cases and Deaths
On July 24, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Allergan recall its Biocell textured breast implants and tissue expanders sold in the United States. Following this recall, Allergan also recalled these products from the global market.
The FDA pushed for the recall after 573 cancer cases were reported worldwide, including 33 patient deaths. Of the 573 cases, 481 were reported to have received Allergan breast implants. Also in 12 out of 13 deaths occurring in patients with BIA-ALCL where the manufacturer was known, the patients were implanted with Allergan breast implants.
One of the plaintiffs, Dietzel, said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, underwent a double mastectomy, and was implanted with Biocell implants, with the belief that they were safe. The other plaintiff, Corts, received Biocell implants in 2017 after a mastectomy but found they were not safe and effective in preventing her from developing further issues with cancer or infection, according to the lawsuit.
Some questions you may want to consider if you think you’ve been affected:
- What physical symptoms are you having?
- Have you received a cancer diagnosis?
- Who’s your cancer specialist?
- What cancer have you been diagnosed with?
- When were you diagnosed?
- What treatment have you received?
- What treatment is planned?
- What is your prognosis?
- Information about the implant: when, where, and by whom. How do you know you had a bio-cell textured implant? Do you have copies of medical records relating to the implant?
- Have you received a recall notice? Who sent you the notice? What date did you receive it?
Product Liability Issues
These are heartbreaking cases where women who have already battled cancer and survived are now faced with the fear of cancer yet again because of these dangerous and defective products. Suppose you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of receiving a textured breast implant manufactured by Allergan or any other manufacturer. In that case, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. Please get in touch with an experienced Los Angeles product defect lawyer to explore your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Allergan-sued-Over-Alleged-Cancer-Risks-in-Breast-Implants-558626601.html