When you purchase a product to use or consume, you should never have to worry about where or not it will cause you harm. However, we know that there are times when defective products make it to the market. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our Miami product liability attorneys are standing by if you or a loved one are injured due to a faulty product. Today, we want to discuss the rising concerns for those who have textured breast implants.
What we know so far about Allergan’s breast implants
Recalls of medical devices and implants are nothing new. While we would like to trust that all FDA approved medical devices are safe, we know that is not always the case. Now, we have learned that a recall has been issued for textured breast implants manufactured by Allergan.
In a statement, the FDA said that the overall incidence of cancer seems to be low, but they asked for the recall “once the evidence indicated that a specific manufacturer’s product appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death.
The type of cancer linked to these implants is not breast cancer. Rather, it is breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIS-ALCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Since the last report in February, there have been 116 new cases of this cancer and 24 deaths.
So far, the FDA says there have been 573 cases of BIA-ALCL and 33 patient deaths around the world. Out of those, 481 were attributed to the Allergan implants. The FDA first reported a possible link between textured breast implants and cancer in 2011.
- Approximately 314,000 people receive breast implants in the US in 2018.
- The use of textured implants is less common in the US than in Asia and Europe.
Defective products need to be taken seriously. Though all medical devices must be thoroughly tested and approved by the FDA, there are times when we do not learn about potential problems until years later. By then, as you can see with the Allergan implants, people are often already sick or dead.
Allergan textured implants will no longer be used, and the FDA does not recommend those who have them get them removed unless they are showing symptoms or have been diagnosed with cancer.
What are your next steps?
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the use or consumption of a defective product, you should seek legal assistance immediately. At Colson Hicks Eidson, we have extensive experience dealing with defective product cases. We understand how to investigate and prove what happened so we can secure the compensation you truly deserve. This could include:
- The cost of your current and future medical bills
- Recovery of income lost if you are unable to work
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against a company or manufacturer
If you need a Miami product liability lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at 305-476-7443.
