PIP breast implant claims

It is no longer possible to join this group litigation.

French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) manufactured and supplied purportedly cohesive silicone gel breast implants. It is reported that as many as 50,000 women, including thousands in the U.K, could have received these implants. On the 31 March 2010 the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a Medical Device Alert in relation to all silicone gel filled breast implants manufactured by PIP, recalling all devices to the UK supplier.

The MHRA acted upon receiving information from the French medical device regulatory authority (AFSSAPS) that they have taken similar steps in France following a recent inspection of the PIP manufacturing plant which revealed that most breast implants manufactured by the company since 2001 have been filled with an unapproved silicone gel.

Over the last five years, Hugh James has recovered compensation of several million pounds on behalf of women who received these implants. Compensation has been paid by a number of clinics who supplied these implants as well as banks who funded the purchase or part purchase of these implants by credit card. Due to the amount of time that has passed since the PIP worldwide recall in March 2010, we are no longer accepting instructions for claims against clinics, surgeons or credit card providers.

Group litigation order

On 9 March 2012, the High Court in Cardiff made a Group Litigation Order (GLO) in relation to personal injury claims being made by women who received PIP breast implants. Hugh James was appointed as the lead solicitor. The register for this case closed in April 2013 and the court ruled subsequently it was not possible to join this litigation after that date. Trial of the GLO was listed for October 2016. This trial has now been adjourned and the majority of claims have resolved with judgment being entered against various defendants.

Credit card claims

Outside of the GLO, Hugh James has explored identical claims against the funders of credit used by patients to buy these implants and these claims have been settling over the last few years.

Claims operating in France

Outside of England and Wales, a number of claims are being pursued through the French courts against TUV Rheinland, the company responsible for auditing the implant manufacturers. TUV was successful in defending the original case in the Court of Appeal in Toulon and this is now the subject of an appeal to the Supreme Court. Our clients are involved in separate litigation in the Nanterre Court.

It is no longer possible to join this group litigation.

Hugh James harmful products experience

The Hugh James harmful products team has many years’ experience of successfully winning harmful product claims. Our expert advice has helped us to be ranked first as a representative of claimants in such cases by Chambers and Partners, the Independent Guide to Law Firms. Our lawyers have successfully recovered compensation for victims of other pharmaceutical products and medical devices including Opren, CJD Growth Hormone, hip and spinal prostheses and cataract lenses.