Allergan Breast Implant Recall Lawyer in Cleveland

FDA Orders Recall of Allergan BIOCELL Textured Breast Implants

On July 24, 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a voluntary recall for Allergan’s “BIOCELL” textured breast implants after studies revealed a link between these implants and a rare form of cancer known as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

ALCL is not breast cancer; it is a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that forms in the fluid and scar tissue surrounding the implant. Although the cancer can typically be treated via removal of the implant, breast implant-associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL) has been linked to 33 deaths thus far. Of the 13 deaths in which the manufacturer of the implant was known, 12 involved Allergan products. Additionally, of the 573 reported BIA-ALCL cases, 481 have been attributed to Allergan’s BIOCELL implants.

If you or someone you love developed anaplastic large-cell lymphoma after receiving a textured breast implant, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP can help. We are currently accepting cases involving Allergan’s BIOCELL textured breast implants. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and determine the best course of action.

We are committed to securing the justice you deserve. Call us at (216) 600-0114 for a free consultation with one of our Cleveland breast implant cancer lawsuit lawyers.

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Implant-Associated Cancer?

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL, is very rare. While it is treatable, it can be deadly if the cancer is left undetected. As with all forms of cancer, early detection and treatment are key to a successful recovery.

Some of the signs of BIA-ALCL include:

• Unusual changes in breast appearance
• Hardening of the breast(s)
• Pain and/or swelling
• Unexplained increased breast size
• Lumps in the breast and/or armpit tissue
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Redness of the skin/rashes

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it could be a sign of BIA-ALCL. It is important that you reach out to your doctor right away and receive proper medical attention.

How Is BIA-ALCL Treated?

Once a patient has been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, their doctor will conduct a thorough examination and provide a personalized treatment plan. Treatment typically requires surgical removal of the breast implant, as well as scar tissue surrounding it. Depending on whether the cancer has spread, the patient may require additional diagnostic testing and more aggressive forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Most patients will also receive ongoing aftercare. This typically involves routine imaging tests and scans, including PET/CT scans, for a period of up to two years or more. This is done to ensure that the cancer has been eradicated and does not reoccur.

Currently, the FDA does not recommend removal of Allergan textured breast implants unless BIA-ALCL symptoms are present. If you do not have any symptoms, there is currently no need to have the implants removed.

Who Is Liable?

All product manufacturers, including those who create and distribute medical devices, have a responsibility to ensure their products are reasonably safe. When they fail to do so, and dangerous products make it onto the consumer market, innocent people can be seriously hurt.

At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, we can help you report your confirmed Allergan breast implant cancer case and bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Our Cleveland Allergan breast implant lawyers have successfully taken on—and won against—major pharmaceutical companies, product manufacturers, and their defense teams. A recall does not protect Allergan from liability; we can still work to hold them accountable for the pain and suffering you have experienced, as well as your economic losses.

Which Allergan Products Are Affected by the Recall?

The FDA’s recall involved a wide range of Allergan products, including but not limited to:

• Allergan Natrelle Saline-Filled Breast Implants (formerly McGhan RTV Saline-Filled Mammary Implant)
• Allergan Natrelle Silicone-Filled Textured Breast Implants (formerly Inamed Silicone-Filled Breast Implants)
• Allergan Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Allergan tissue expanders for BIOCELL texturing

Primarily, the recall affects Allergan’s textured BIOCELL breast implants. Reach out to our attorneys to learn more, including whether you may be affected by the recall.

Request a Free Consultation

If you believe you or your loved one may be affected by the Allergan BIOCELL textured breast implant recall, do not wait to reach out to our firm for a free consultation. Your time to file a claim is limited—the sooner you contact our attorneys, the better.

At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, we have been proudly representing clients throughout Ohio in complex litigation since 1946. In that time, we have successfully recovered more than $1 billion for the injured. We are prepared to go up against major product manufacturers and distributors in our fight to protect your rights and best interests.

To learn more, please call us at (216) 600-0114 or submit an online contact form today to request a free, confidential case evaluation.