For decades, women have been reporting dangerous side effects from defective breast implants made by Mentor, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. And yet, despite whistleblowers’ allegations that the company has covered up evidence of serious defects in their products, Mentor continues to sell these dangerous medical devices to thousands of women across the country every year. If you have been harmed by defective breast implants, you can hold the manufacturer accountable. Call Parker Waichman LLP today for a free consultation on your potential breast implant rupture lawsuit: Our experienced product liability attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Whistleblowers Complain of Defects, Fleas
Mentor’s negligence can be traced back to the 1990s. In testimony cited in a 2003 lawsuit, two former Mentor employees alleged that the company covered up evidence of high breast implant rupture rates and that workers would hide defective components in the ceiling to avoid detection by their superiors. The actual rupture rates far exceeded those reported to authorities, according to one of the whistleblowers.
The former employees, who worked for Mentor in the mid-1990s, said that senior executives at the company told them to destroy reports detailing high rupture rates. They also testified that packaging for the implants was sometimes infested with fleas. A criminal investigation of Mentor was closed in 2002.
But despite this information, when the FDA lifted its ban on silicone breast implants in 2006, Mentor was the first company to get approval to sell them. And since that time, numerous women have reported problems with breast implants sold by Mentor. If you’ve become ill due to these defective products, a skilled attorney with our firm can help you seek justice through a silicone or saline breast implant rupture lawsuit.
What Happens When Breast Implants Rupture?
Breast implant ruptures can be silent or symptomatic. With a silent rupture, breast implants may fail without the patient even noticing. If the silicone inside stays within the breast tissue, it’s not likely to cause any symptoms. However, with a symptomatic rupture, the shape of the breast may change as the saline or silicone inside leaks out. This material can then migrate into other tissues, causing health problems.
How to Know if Your Breast Implant Ruptured
If you have a ruptured breast implant, side effects may include changes in the shape and or size of the breast, soreness, lumps in the breast tissue, numbness, and unusual firmness or swelling. If the fluid inside leaks into other body tissues, complications can include infection, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, rash, memory loss, and lymphoma.
What Can Cause Breast Implants to Rupture?
The majority of breast implant ruptures are caused by damage that occurred during the initial implantation. Some implants rupture because they are old and need to be replaced. Others are damaged by needles during biopsies or by trauma suffered during an assault or car accident.
How Often Do Breast Implants Rupture?
As many as one in ten women with breast implants will experience a rupture. Breast implants are supposed to last for ten to 20 years, but approximately 20% of patients need to replace their implants after only eight to ten years.
What Percentage of Breast Implants Rupture?
Ten percent of saline breast implants rupture within ten years. Up to 12% of silicone implants rupture within eight years, but many of these ruptures are silent and only detectable by regular MRIs. Many doctors suggest that patients get annual checkups to confirm that their breast implants haven’t ruptured.
What to Do if a Breast Implant Ruptures
If a breast implant ruptures, you will need to have it surgically removed. Your plastic surgeon will remove the implant and any surrounding scar tissue. You will have the option to get a replacement implant unless your doctor advises against it.
Need Legal Help With Breast Implant Manufacturer Lawsuits?
If you’ve been harmed by a ruptured Mentor breast implant, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman can help you get compensation for damages including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER or fill out our online contact form today to get a free consultation on your potential silicone or saline breast implant rupture lawsuit with no obligation.
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