Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
After Allergan’s textured breast implants were linked to breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), the FDA asked Allergan to voluntarily recall the implants in July 2019. BIA-ALCL is a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that appears almost exclusively in women who have textured breast implants, Allergan’s Biocell implants in particular.
BIA-ALCL is typically found in the scar tissue and fluid surrounding the implants, and if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of the cancer include pain or swelling near the implant, a lump in the breast, or a hardening of the breast. So far, 481 women with Allergan textured breast implants have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, and 33 have died.
Since the recall, women have been consulting with their doctors about the best course forward for them, including discussing whether removing the implants and replacing them with a safer type of breast implant is the best option. Many women, with the advice of their doctor, have decided to go this route.
Allergan, however, is allegedly asking doctors and their staff to present deceptive paperwork to women choosing to remove and replace their implants. Allergan has agreed to replace their Biocell textured breast implants with their smooth implants for free, but, in exchange for the new implants, women are being asked to waive their right to bring a breast implant lawsuit against Allergan. A group of women says that Allergan is trying to trick women into signing away their right to sue by including a release in the fine print of their warranty. Some women have already signed the warranty paperwork without knowing they were giving up their right to bring a claim against Allergan. In addition, Allergan’s offer falls short: the company won’t pay for the surgical, diagnostic, or monitoring fees necessary to replace the Biocell implants for women who have not yet developed BIA-ALCL. So, in essence, women are being asked to pay for Allergan’s mistake without leaving them with a way to hold the company liable.
This appears to be a deliberate attempt by Allergan to prevent women from joining the hundreds of others who are suing Allergan for the faulty Biocell breast implants.
We urge you NOT TO SIGN ANYTHING from Allergan or your doctor related to your implants and to contact our Illinois breast implant lawyers if you have Allergan textured breast implants that you are considering replacing. Time may be running out to preserve your legal rights against Allergan, so do not delay.
The Collins Law Firm is investigating Allergan textured breast implant claims for women who have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, women who have precursor symptoms of this cancer, women who have had the implants removed, and women who plan to remove the implants. If you qualify under one of these categories, it is critical that you contact us as soon as possible as you may have a claim. Call our Allergan breast implant attorneys at (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form here for a confidential, FREE consultation. You will owe us nothing unless we win your case, and we are ready to fight for you.
For more information on the symptoms of BIA-ALCL and the Allergan textured breast implant models included in the recall, click here.