Hundreds of British women who were victims of PIP breast implant scandal are in line for compensation, Paris court rules
- The french company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) used industrial-grade silicon
- The implants had double the rupture rate of others and caused pain to users
- Paris Court of Appeal today ruled 2,500 women world-wide entitled to pay-outs
- Among them are 540 British women who say they have suffered health effects
Hundreds of British women who were victims of one of the worst breast implant scandals in recent history are entitled to compensation, the Paris Appeal Court ruled today.
It follows French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which is now out of business, using industrial-grade silicon intended for mattresses in their medical products.
They had double the rupture rate of other implants and caused extreme pain to those who used them.
The Paris Appeal Court on Thursday ruled that more than 2,500 women across the world are entitled to pay-outs because of this.
It follows French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which is now out of business, using industrial-grade silicon intended for mattresses in their medical products
Among them are 540 British women who say they have suffered long-term health effects.
The German company TUV Rheinland, which originally awarded safety certificates for the faulty implants, was sued for negligence in the case.
Paris barrister Olivier Aumaitre, who represents the women, confirmed the ruling, saying: ‘We are delighted with this outcome which definitively puts an end to the doubts about TUV’s responsibility’.
TUV was ordered by a French court in 2017 to pay £52million (€60million) to 20,000 women who received the implants.
The firm was found liable over the global scandal in 2010 when it emerged that French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) had made implants with substandard silicone.
But TUV appealed, and victims awarded compensation were issued with legal papers warning them they may have to pay back some £2,500 each.
Jan Spivey, co-founder of PIP Action Campaign, said at the time: ‘The idea women may have to pay back money intended to help them is morally bankrupt.
‘That TUV are trying to attack the integrity of the victims’ claims is scandalous.’
TUV has maintained that it was not responsible for what the implants were made of, only the way they were produced.
Ms Spivey, who was given PIP implants after she had a mastectomy due to breast cancer, suffered aches, fatigue and anxiety after the PIP implants leaked silicone into her body.
‘My PIP implants from 20 years ago are still impacting on my life and my health and my wellbeing, even today’ said Ms Spivey.
‘I think I’ve been angry every single day for the 20 years I’ve been affected by PIP.’
Mr Aumaitre said today’s judgement was hugely important to around 2,700 others.
‘We will probably reach a turning point,’ said Mr Aumaitre.
‘A positive decision will probably put an end to the long period of doubt we’ve been going through during so many years.’
Jean-Claude Mas, the founder of PIP, was sentenced to four years in prison for fraud in 2013, and died in April aged 79.
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