Breast implants are medical devices used for breast reconstruction or augmentation. They’re implanted under breast tissue or under the chest muscle. In the U.S., two types of implants are approved for use by the FDA: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled. Regardless of the type, the shell thickness, size, shape, and shell surface texture differ.
While complications can occur with any breast implant, those containing silicone are currently under fire after reports suggest a relationship between Allergan BIOCELL textured implants and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)—a rare cancer of the infection-fighting cells of the immune system. Victims of the defective medical devices can file a Louisville silicone breast implant lawsuit.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), cosmetic procedures are on the rise. In 2018, patients underwent 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures. Of those, 313,000 were breast augmentations and 101,657 were reconstructions. In just the augmentations, there was a four percent increase from the previous year. In 88% of those procedures, silicone implants were used.
If you believe you’ve developed BIA-ALCL as a result of breast implants, you can take legal action. Our breast implant lawyers can help you seek the compensation you need to recover your losses and get your life back in order.
Silicone is made of silicon, oxygen, and other elements like carbon and hydrogen. The reason this material is used in breast implants is that it is stable at a high temperature, and it’s resistant to sunlight, moisture, aging, and extremes in temperature. The silicone gel used in the implants also feels more like natural breast tissue. Women at age 22 and older can be approved for silicone breast implants.
When a patient elects to have silicone breast implants, they’ll need to regularly visit their plastic surgeon to make sure the implants are functioning properly. Oftentimes, an MRI screening or ultrasound will be conducted to assess their condition.
In the event the gel leaks, it could remain within the implant shell or it could escape into the breast implant pocket. While a leaking implant filled with silicone will not collapse, the consequences can be severe.
In late 2018, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated reports of silicone and saline-filled textured breast implants causing ALCL. Textured implants refer to those that stick to scar tissue capsules. Now, the FDA has requested that Allergan recall their BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders as a result of Medical Device Reports reporting 573 worldwide cases of BIA-ALCL and 33 related deaths associated with the implants. It’s estimated that BIOCELL textured implants represent less than 5 percent of implants sold in the United States.
Allergan agreed and is pulling all BIOCELL textured implants from the global market. Affected products include Allergan Natrelle Saline-Filled Breast Implants, Allergan Natrelle Silicone-Filled Textured Breast Implants, and Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone Filled Breast Implants.
The FDA will continue to collect and evaluate data collected from individuals with breast implants and BIA-ALCL. They will release new information as it becomes available, which you can find here.
If a medical mistake harmed you or your newborn, we’ll investigate what went wrong and fight for funds for lifelong care. Start with a free case evaluation today.
A head injury can change everything. We pursue negligent drivers, companies, and providers to seek compensation for treatment, lost income, and long-term needs. Get a free case evaluation now.
Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (1953–1987)? This page explains what happened and potential harms—note the firm is no longer taking these cases. Explore the details and see other options.
From fender-benders to serious crashes, we help you pursue the money you need for medical bills, repairs, and time off work. Don’t face insurers alone—request a free case evaluation.
Hurt on a jobsite? We’ll identify who’s responsible beyond workers’ comp and pursue the recovery you deserve for pain, lost wages, and medical costs. Talk to us for a free case evaluation.
When care goes wrong, you deserve answers and accountability. We review records, build strong claims, and pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. Schedule a free case evaluation.
Motorcyclists are vulnerable—and insurers know it. We fight for riders injured by careless drivers and push for full compensation for medical care and recovery. Request a free case evaluation.
If your premature baby developed NEC after cow’s milk-based formula, your family may have legal options. We’re representing families seeking justice and compensation—act now for a free case evaluation.
Attacked because a property lacked basic security? We investigate owners’ failures—lighting, locks, cameras, staffing—and pursue compensation for your injuries. Start with a free case evaluation.
If a loved one was neglected or harmed in a facility, we’ll help you hold the home accountable and pursue compensation. Take action today—get a free case evaluation.
Injured because someone else was careless? We’ll handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and getting life back on track. Start with a free case evaluation.
Used a recalled Philips CPAP/BiPAP or ventilator? We help people harmed by defective devices pursue claims tied to the recall and alleged foam exposure. Get a free case evaluation.
Hurt on someone else’s property? We pinpoint unsafe conditions, prove negligence, and pursue damages for medical bills and lost time. Don’t wait—get a free case evaluation.
Defective products shouldn’t cost you your health. We pursue manufacturers and sellers when unsafe designs or warnings lead to injury. Find out if you have a claim—free case evaluation.
Survivors deserve support and accountability. We help you understand your rights and pursue civil action against abusers and enablers. When you’re ready, request a free case evaluation.
A fall can mean ER visits, missed work, and lasting pain. If poor maintenance or hazards caused your injury, we’ll help you pursue compensation. Get a free case evaluation today.
Benefits can be hard to win alone. If a condition keeps you from working, we’ll guide you through the SSA process and strengthen your claim. Start with a free case evaluation.
Spinal trauma can bring lifelong care needs and huge costs. We fight for compensation that reflects the full impact on your mobility, work, and future. Request a free case evaluation.
Crashes with semis are complex and high-stakes. We investigate drivers and trucking companies and pursue the recovery you need after serious injuries. Get a free case evaluation now.
Injured at work in Kentucky? We help Louisville workers fight delays, denials, and lowball benefits so you can get medical care and wage support. Request a free consultation.
When negligence takes a life, accountability matters. We help families pursue a wrongful death claim and seek financial stability during an impossible time. Start with a free case evaluation.
You have enough on your plate. Get a free case evaluation and clear answers from our experienced attorneys today — we’ll take it from here.
If you have Allergan breast implants and haven’t been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, you may be concerned about the possibility. In a situation where a medical device has been recalled, it’s important to know what to do, so you can take proactive measures for your health.
While the FDA does not recommend removal of the implants because the risk of cancer developing is low, speak with your health care provider. Based on your discussion with them, you’ll be able to decide how best to proceed depending on your unique situation.
With any medical device, it’s a good idea to keep a record of the manufacturer, device identifier, and implant model number. You can use that information to see if your implants are on the FDA’s recall list.
It’s also important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a problem. The main symptoms of BIA-ALCL include persistent swelling or pain in the area of the breast. Symptoms typically develop years after the implant’s initial placement. While these symptoms are not only related to breast implant lymphoma, if you have any of the following you should seek medical care as soon as possible:
The list above is not conclusive. If you have any concerns, contact your doctor. They will run diagnostic testing to determine what’s going on. Evaluation for BIA-ALCL typically includes a physical examination, imaging, or assessment of the fluid around the implant.
If you have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL and have breast implants, it’s crucial to get in touch with a Louisville silicone breast implant lawyer. Building a case against a medical device manufacturer company can take time. The sooner we can begin looking into your situation, the faster your claim can get filed.
Even though the Allergan BIOCELL breast implants were recalled in July 2019, lawsuits regarding the development of medical conditions are nothing new. Between the 1980s and 1990s, class action lawsuits were filed after approximately 450,000 women sustained injuries from their breast implants. Evidence showed that the Dow Corning Corporation implants contributed to tissue disease. Lawsuits have also been filed for silicone implants that ruptured and leaked. Billions of dollars have been awarded in compensation to victims of defective breast implants over the years.
When it’s discovered that any medical device is defective, anyone who has suffered injuries or losses can take legal action. The majority of textured breast implant lawsuits are filed against the manufacturer. Claims typically revolve around the concepts of strict liability, failure to warn, negligence, breach of warranties, or fraud. Depending on your circumstances, your lawyer will be able to determine what to base your claim on.
With a case of strict liability, you’ll need to be able to prove that the manufacturer sold a dangerous product, intended the product to arrive to you unaltered, and you were harmed by the dangerous condition. With a failure to warn claim, it needs to be shown that the manufacturer knew or should have known about the risks of having the breast implants, but failed to let consumers know. With a breach in warranty, the implant would have had to perform differently than as promised by the manufacturer.
When a case involves a consumer product like breast implants, strict liability claims typically replace negligence claims. In some cases, claims can include both. In order to prove negligence, your lawyer will need to prove that the manufacturer owed you a duty of reasonable care, they breached that duty, the breach caused your injuries, and you suffered as a result of your injuries.
If you’ve been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL and you have breast implants, you may be owed compensation for your economic and noneconomic losses. To find out if you have the grounds to file a Louisville silicone breast implant lawsuit, get in touch with our legal team today. We’ll review your circumstances and recommend a course of action.
Parents of a newborn are understandably anxious. Bringing that baby home from the hospital for the first time will mean making significant adjustments in schedules and routines. In other words, the baby will now be that couple’s entire focus, as it should. It is recommended that parents bring their baby to a pediatrician within 3...
The long-term costs of a surgical error usually go way beyond the first round of hospital bills. For a lot of families, the real issue becomes financial survival. One surgical mistake can set off years of follow-up care, corrective procedures, lost income, home adjustments, pain treatment, and day-to-day support needs. That’s the part that catches...
Any incident of sexual assault is a traumatic violation that can impact the victim for the rest of their life. An assailant who’s convicted of such a crime is justifiably labeled as a sexual predator. With that label comes restrictions that are designed to prevent the convicted felon from ever carrying out another assault. When...
Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.
