Defective Medical Devices – Breast Implant Litigation

The silicone breast implant was first manufactured in the early 1960s and was widely used by doctors all over the world. However, in the 1980s it became apparent that the silicone implants, as well as the silicone leaking into the body from ruptured implants, were causing serious health problems and such implants were subsequently withdrawn from the market by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, silicone implants have been replaced by saline implants in the United States. However, it is important to note that even these saline implants are encased in silicone, and it is not yet clear what long-term health effects these may have.

In the early 1990s, there were high profile class action lawsuits against Dow Corning, which subsequently ended up filing Chapter 11. The cases alleged that Dow Corning knew that their silicone implants caused cancer and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Other minor side effects that have been known to occur in patients are: infection, change in nipple and/or breast sensitivity, bleeding and fibromyalgia (a painful connective issue disorder). If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice or personal injury case against your doctor or a defective medical device lawsuit against the manufacturer of the implant.