Allergan Breast Implant Lawsuit Help

Allergan Lawsuits: Our Breast Implant Lawyers can provide Lawsuit Help

Andrew Sullo is a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer (as named by the National Trial Lawyers 2013-2025).

What are the Injuries Caused by Allergan Breast Implants? The recent recall of certain Allergan textured breast implants has caused many women who have one of the recalled breast implants to wonder whether their health is in jeopardy. Some of those women may have already experienced issues or injuries associated with an Allergan textured breast implant, including the BIOCELL and the Natrelle Inspira. It appears that these textured breast implants may be responsible for a type of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The cancer is also known as ALCL cancer, BIA-ALCL cancer and t-cell lymphoma.

It is important to understand that BIA-ALCL is relatively rare, with one in every 30,000 women with a textured surface breast implant likely to develop it. While the disease may be rare, the FDA believes that women with a textured breast implant from Allergan are six times as likely to develop BIA-ALCL than women who received another type of breast implant. The most common symptoms associated with BIA-ALCL is excessive fluid buildup around the breast implant. This buildup of fluid can lead to pain around the implant, swelling around the implant, lumps in the armpit and lumps in the breast.

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL typically occur between three to fourteen years following implantation, and, so far, have only been associated with textured implants. In general, smooth breast implants are used among women who are undergoing a breast implant procedure for cosmetic reasons. The textured breast implants are more likely to be used among those who are undergoing reconstructive breast surgery, usually following breast cancer and a mastectomy. This is not to say that the textured breast implants may not have been used for women undergoing cosmetic breast surgery as well.

BIA-ALCL is generally diagnosed via a sample of fluid drawn from around the implant, which is then sent to the lab to screen for CD30—a marker which indicates lymphoma. If BIA-ALCL is diagnosed, the disease can usually be cured by removing the breast implant and its capsule, however if the cancer has spread, chemotherapy and radiation may be necessary. After three years, about 93 percent of BIA-ALCL patients are disease-free—when the condition is detected early and treated aggressively.

Did the FDA Order a Recall of the Allergan Textured Breast Implants? In March 2017, the FDA issued a press release regarding a rare cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) which is associated with textured breast implants women receive following reconstructive surgery, or, in some cases, cosmetic surgery. At this time, the New York Times picked up the topic, highlighting the struggles of women who had developed BIA-ALCL after being implanted with a textured breast implant. While BIA-ALCL can be a serious disease, in most cases it can be successfully treated.

In fact, a possible association between textured breast implants and BIA-ALCL was first identified by the FDA in 2011, however, at that time there was simply not sufficient evidence to recall the implants in question, or issue warnings to women who might receive the textured breast implants. The FDA held a meeting in March 2019 with women who discussed many concerns related to the Allergan textured breast implants. There was still insufficient data and evidence to issue a recall. Finally, by the end of July, the FDA asked Allergan to remove the textured breast implants from the market, and asked that physicians stop implanting the recalled, textured breast implants, returning unused inventory to Allergan. While the FDA has not yet recommended routine removal of the textured breast implants among women with no symptoms, they do want women to be aware of the risks and look for potential symptoms.

If I Have an Allergan Breast Implant Do I Need Legal Assistance? You may wonder whether you need legal assistance if you have a recalled Allergan textured breast implant. The answer to that can be complex, therefore it can be in your best interests to speak to knowledgeable breast implant lawyers who can thoroughly evaluate the specific facts of your potential claim. Your first step should always be to speak to your physician, particularly if you have had any symptoms associated with BIA-ALCL.

If you are diagnosed with Allergan breast implants cancer, you could certainly benefit from speaking to experienced breast implant lawyers who can not only help you with the legal aspect of filing an Allergan breast implant lawsuit, but can also help you receive the medical treatment you need. Remember, Allergan textured breast implants have six times the risk of causing anaplastic large cell lymphoma as other non-textured breast implants manufactured by other manufacturers.

Where Do I Find Legal Help for My Allergan Textured Breast Implant? Perhaps you have experienced symptoms of textured breast implant-related BIA-ALCL, or perhaps you are simply worried that you may develop the disease in the future. Either way, the highly experienced breast implant lawyers at Sullo & Sullo in Houston, Texas, can help you determine whether an Allergan breast implant lawsuit is right for you. It is currently unknown whether there will be an Allergan breast implant lawsuit settlement, although that certainly could happen in the future.

After speaking to our knowledgeable breast implant lawyers, you may decide to move forward with an individual Allergan breast implant lawsuit, or you could make the choice to join an Allergan breast implant class action lawsuit. You might also decide to wait a while to determine your best course of action. If this is your decision, your Sullo & Sullo attorney can ensure your future claim is properly preserved and advise you of the statutes of limitations surrounding an Allergan breast implant lawsuit. It is likely that Allergan will wait to see how many textured breast implant lawsuits are filed—and the results of at least a few of those lawsuits—prior to agreeing to a breast implant lawsuit settlement.

In the meantime, Sullo & Sullo breast implant lawyers can thoroughly answer all the questions you might have regarding your textured breast implant. Our highly experienced attorneys can then help you make a decision on whether to file an Allergan breast implant lawsuit. Contact Sullo & Sullo today for a free consultation.