According to allegations raised in a recently filed class action lawsuit, Allergan sold defective and dangerous Biocell breast implants and tissue expanders since 2000, which may increase the risk of a deadly cancer of the immune system, now commonly referred to as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

The complaint (PDF) was filed by two women identified only as M.P. and S.S. in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on November 19, seeking class action status to pursue damages for themselves and other similarly situated women.

In July 2019, a recall of Allergan Biocell textured breast implants and tissue expanders was issued by the manufacturer, following a request by the FDA, after it was determined that nearly all cases of the rare BIA-ALCL were traced back to this one implant design.

The plaintiffs allege that the defective breast implants were placed in their body due to the manufacturer’s failure to warn about the risks, exposing them to severe and heightened risk of developing lymphoma.

“Despite its knowledge and admission of the defect, Allergan is refusing to pay for the majority of its affected pateints’ surgical costs related to the defective implant products. Allergan is also refusing to pay, in most cases, for medical monitoring related to the significantly increased risk of BIA-ALCL,” according to the complaint. “Allergan’s unwarranted position leaves hundreds of thousands of patients in fear for their lives and with the heavy burden of covering fees for surgeries, diagnosis, treatment and medical monitoring, most of which will not be covered by Allergan or their own insurance companies.”

The lawsuit seeks to force Allergan to cover the costs of removing the breast implants, as well as medical monitoring for women who may be at risk of developing cancer in the tissue surrounding the implant, due to the textured design.

Breast Implant Lymphoma Risk

Concerns about the potential link between textured breast implants and cancer first surfaced a few years ago, but Allergan did not recall the products in the United States until a few months ago.

According to data released by the FDA over the summer, at least 573 known cases of breast implant ALCL have been diagnosed worldwide, including at least 33 deaths. Of those, 481 have been linked to breast implants sold by Allergan, which have been involved in at least 12 of the 13 deaths where the manufacturer of the breast implant was known.

Since the recall, a number of similar lawsuits have been filed against Allergan over the breast implants, each raising similar allegations that the textured design was unreasonably dangerous and defective.

In addition to class action claims pursuing damages for the costs associated with removal or medical monitoring, a number of Allergan breast implant ALCL lawsuits have been brought by women diagnosed with the cancer, which typically results in the need for breast implant removal and removal of the surrounding scar capsule.

Tags: Allergan, Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, BIA-ALCL, Biocell, Breast Implant, Breast Implant Cancer, Class Action Lawsuit