The True Cost of Beauty

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

It is the fundamental right of every individual to be compensated for the negligent act of another which causes them injury.

Many people may be aware of claims that can be made due to an injury suffered in a road traffic accident, an accident at work or even an accident in a public place but many are unaware of their rights when it comes to injuries caused by beauty treatments.

When Should an EPA be Registered?

Article by
Sharon Brown

If you are the donor of an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) then you do not need to worry about registering your EPA.  However, your attorney(s) have a duty to register the document with the Office of the Public Guardian at such time as you lose mental capacity or begin to lose mental capacity. 

Capacity is time and decision specific and it can therefore be slightly confusing for an attorney to know exactly when they should start the registration process.  Part of the registration is to notify you and at least three of your relatives, and this acts as a safeguard to prevent an attorney taking unlawful control of your affairs.  If when the registration process is started, you or one of your relatives has a concern, it is possible to object to the Office of the Public Guardian on specified grounds.  

Nearly 3,000 NHS referrals for PIP Implants following Private Surgery

Article by
Kevin Timms

Over 2,800 women have sought assistance from the NHS where their private cosmetic surgery clinic no longer exists or refuses to assist their patients.

The Health Minister, Anne Milton, said “Most patients who have been forced to get help from the NHS … seem to be choosing not to have their implants removed”. She also stated “This appears to show that these women are getting the reassurance they need from speaking to an expert or having a scan”.

PIP Implants are Yours and Not Your Clinics

Article by
Kevin Timms

The Problem

An increasing number of our clients are being told by their clinics and surgeons that when their implants are removed and/or replaced that their PIP implants cannot be given back to them as their “PIP implants are medical waste”.

This practice is not acceptable and it is vital that any women who are having their PIP implants removed are given their implants back following surgery as those implants are evidence for any PIP implant claim that an individual may have.

What is Wrong With PIP Breast Implants?

Article by
Kevin Timms

The European Commission has engaged the services of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks to compile a report (“the Report”) on breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Protheses (“PIP”).

The Report was published on 1 February 2012 and deal with the primary problems with the PIP breast implants.

The Report found that the evidence available indicates that many PIP breast implants were manufactured from industrial grade silicone which is of lower quality than medical grade silicone.

New France Data on PIP Breast Implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

The French medical device regulator AFSSAPS has released further data with regard to  the rupture rates of faulty breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Protheses ("PIP").

1379 PIP breast implant ruptures have been reported to AFSSAPS between 2001 and January 2012. Of these PIP breast implants 55% ruptured within the first five years of implantation. AFSSPAS have stated that the early ruptures were as a result of PIP breast implant failure.

PIP Breast Implants – UK Remains Ignorant Whilst Europe Takes Action

Article by
Kevin Timms

The UK Government has finally started to take concerns of women with Poly Implant Prothese ("PIP") breast implants into account but the approach is still carried out in ignorance.

The Government is to hold a crisis meeting with the private cosmetic surgery clinics on 13 February 2012. This will undoubtedly put more pressure on the clinics to take further responsibility but this, regretfully, does not mean that the Government will be publicly accepting the inherent defects in the implants – only then will the private cosmetic surgery clinic feel an obligation to assist women with PIP breast implants.

Garden House Solicitors New Blog Layout

We have dropped the 'Garden' theme and have changed the look of our Blog. Please let us know what you think of it in the comments box below. What do you think is good and what do you think could be done to improve it?

Please also make sure you follow our blog by email for all the latest updates from Garden House Solicitors. We have been hugely busy recently so there has been less articles than normal so this means we have all the more to start sharing with you shortly! Follow the Garden House Solicitors Blog on the right -->

Also look out for our success stories which will be added shortly!

Be sure to let us know what you think below.

http://www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk/

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

PIP Breast Implant – “Health Before Wealth” – The Harley Street Protest

Article by
Kevin Timms

Approximately 60 women went on a Harley Street protest today in an attempt to pursued private cosmetic surgery clinics to remove and replace faulty PIP breast implants.

The protesters staged their protests outside the Harley Medical Group and the Transform Medical Group, two if the largest cosmetic surgery clinics providing PIP breast implants. Both clinics have refused to replace PIP breast implants free of charge.

National Press Advertising Campaign - PIP Breast Implants

The Government will run a national press advertising campaign this weekend advising women what to do if they have PIP breast implants.

Adverts will appear in national newspapers followed by websites from Monday, while GP surgeries and other parts of the NHS will be urged to display the adverts.

Government Commissioned Report on PIP Breast Implants - Our Thoughts

Article by
Kevin Timms

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, commissioned a report into the problems with PIP breast Implants. The result of the report was that those on the NHS who have been provided with PIP breast implants could have them removed and replaced where there was a clinical need and those who had surgery privately, but where there clinics were no longer in business or refused to assist, would be able to have their PIP breast implants removed only where there was a clear clinical need.

There are a few critical issues I think have been overlooked from Andrew Lansley's report.

Fuel Additive May have been used with PIP Breast Implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

The PIP breast implant scandal continues to unwind as a French radio station, RTL, has reported that PIP breast implants have used a fuel additive. There is however, no link to cancer and therefore no immediate risk to women with PIP breast implant.

RTL has stated that Baysilone, normally associated with the oil or rubber industries, was found in the breakdown of a PIP breast implant.

PIPs lawyers has denied this stating that the substances used in PIP breast implant silicone gel are normally found within the food industry and used with lipstick.

Leading Surgeon Recommends Removal of PIP Breast Implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

Tim Goodacre President of the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and one of the members on the government commissioned panel investigating the recent PIP breast implant scandal.

Mr Goodacre has told the Telegraph that the rupture rates found by the largest cosmetic surgery clinic in the UK were unacceptable.

Garden House Solicitors, the Breast Implant Regulators and the Press

Article by
Kevin Timms

Garden House Solicitors has been at the centre of the PIP breast implant scandal with regards to the media’s reporting of the subject. Kevin Timms of Garden House Solicitors has been highly reported by the international press.

The PIP breast implant scandal arose when France reported that eight women were known to have cancer and PIP breast implants in France. However, it was subsequently established that there is no link to cancer.  The French have also recommended the removal of PIP breast implants from all women in France. Kevin Timms has discussed the issues arising from France and how they relate to women in the UK extensively with the media and has been in contact with the MHRA in the UK, AFSSAPS in France, the TGA in Australia and other medical device regulators throughout Europe where PIP breast implants have been used.

Stricter Cosmetic Surgery Regulations Suggested – The GHS Perspective

Article by
Kevin Timms

The 30,000 women in France who have been recommended to have their PIP breast implants removed as a result of inherent defects in the breast implants has left up to 40,000 to 50,000 women in the UK unnecessarily in fear as a result of the MHRA and other UK authorities stating there are no health risks associated with PIP breast implants.

MPs are now suggesting that, as a result of the PIP breast implant scandal, cosmetic surgery patients could be put on a database to help prevent another scare like this.

PIP Breast Implants - Not Approved by Regulators

Article by
Kevin Timms

The lawyer acting on behalf of PIP and its founder, Jean Claude Mas has released a statement about the affairs of PIP.

The lawyer, Yves Haddad, told Reuters yesterday that most of the breast implants sold by PIP since 1991 were produced using a silicone that was not approved by health authorities.

Mr Haddad said that PIP sold “simple” breast implants made with silicone that was not approved by health authorities and a high end breast implant using approved silicone for wealthier clients.

PIP Breast Implants – A Defective History for a Defective Breast Implant

Article by
Kevin Timms

In the year 2000 the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in America raised concerns about the manufacturer, PIP, who made PIP silicone breast implants with industrial grade silicone, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of women globally. PIP breast implants have been at the centre of extensive media attention recently.

At the turn of the millennium the FDA sent an investigator to inspect the manufacturing site in the south of France in May 2000. Subsequently, the FDA wrote to the founder of PIP, Jean-Claude Mas, with a warning stating that the implants were “adulterated” and listing at least 11 deviations from good manufacturing practices.

French Insurance to File Complaint on PIP Breast Implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

The French national health insurance agency has stated it will file a criminal complaint in respect of the PIP breast implant scandal, following the recommendation by the French health authorities that all 30,000 French women with PIP breast implants have them removed.

The French insurance agency will make its complaint on the grounds of deception and fraud. A director of the insurance agency said “It now appears pretty clear that these breast implants did not meet the specifications imposed for these products … That will surely have damaging consequences for the patients … and there will be a significant cost for social security also so in this context it is normal and natural for us to file a complaint”.

PIP Breast Implants – Venezuela recommends removal

Article by
Kevin Timms

Venezuela’s government has offered to remove, but not replace, PIP breast implants as a result of the risk of premature rupture.

Venezuela’s Health Minister said that there are concerns about early failure rates of PIP breast implants and that many PIP breast implants had been imported illegally.

Whilst the French authorities have confirmed there is no cancer risk associated with PIP breast implants, they have confirmed that the French government will pay for the cost of removing PIP breast implants from the 30,000 women in France with them.

PIP Breast Implant Compensation Claims

Article by
Kevin Timms

PIP breast implants have been proven to be of a substandard quality. The French Health Authorities have recommended all 30,000 women with PIP breast implants in France to have their breast implants removed. However, the MHRA, the UK medical device regulator has stated there are no reasons for removal of PIP breast implants or even to have routine ultrasounds.

However, unlike the French authorities, the MHRA have only conducted testing on the toxic properties of the PIP breast implants and not the physical and mechanical properties.

PIP Breast Implant Scare Leads to Arrest

Article by
Kevin Timms

Interpol are seeking the founder of Poly Implant Prothese, Jean-Claude Mas for offences relating to “life and health”.

The warrant for Mr Mas’ arrest relates to the issues surrounding the PIP breast implants and global health crisis that these controversial implants have caused. In the UK it is thought that 40,000 to 50,000 women have PIP Breast Implants.

The French health authorities have recommended that all 30,000 French women have their PIP breast implants removed as a “preventative measure”.

PIP Breast Implants – Update

Article by
Kevin Timms

The French health authorities have confirmed today that there is no associated risk of cancer with PIP breast implants. However, they acknowledge that there are inherent defects in the PIP breast implants and as such, have taken a preventative measure (rather than a precautious measure) to recommend explanation to all women who have PIP breast implants in France.

The UK medical device regulator, the MHRA, have not followed suit. The MHRA have today released a press statement that they do not believe there are health risks associated with PIP breast implants. However, they have failed to make comment on the French testing into the standard of these implants and their lack of durability. They have not taken any action to try and establish what trends are appearing with respect to PIP breast implants and have only relied on adverse incidents reported to them.

PIP Breast Implant Register

Article by
Kevin Timms

If you have PIP Breast Implants join the National PIP Breast Implant Register. Simply enter your contact details and a member of our PIP breast implant team will call you back within 14 days to take your full registration details.

Garden House Solicitors have set up the National PIP Breast Implant Register in order to identify the true extent of how PIP breast implants are affecting women within the UK.

We will release the statistics found from the Register so that all those on the Register are kept up to date with its progress. We also intend to work with medical professionals in the near future and obtain an expert opinion on the standard of PIP breast implants in comparison with other breast implants on the market.

PIP Breast Implants – A Health Crisis

Article by
Kevin Timms

The Situation In France

There is now a health crisis reported in France in respect of the defective PIP breast implants.

Last week Professor Jean – Yves Grall, Director General of Health in France stated that 8 cases of cancer have been noted in patients who had defective PIP breast implants. The French Health authorities are now saying that all 30,000 women in France should have their PIP breast implants removed.

PIP Breast Implants – what is wrong with them?

Article by
Kevin TImms

The French medical device regulator, AFSSAPS has conducted extensive testing on the PIP silicone breast implants. By June 2011 all their tests had been completed and they condensed the results into one Topical Report. This report showed that there were many issues with the PIP breast implants, including:

• The silicone gel used in PIP breast implants is not the same as that described in the manufacturer’s design profile
• The silicone gel used in the PIP breast implants does not reach the required degree of quality for a silicone gel intended for breast implants
• The shell of the PIP breast implants is more fragile than it should be
• The silicone gel used with PIP breast implants can react with body tissue causing an inflammatory reaction
• There is an inherent irritant property within the PIP breast implants
• The PIP breast implants have not been shown to be toxic
• The PIP breast implant gel can perspire (ooze) through the implant shell and is most likely to occur during the first three years following implantation and is difficult to detect with an ultrasound or MRI scan

All Breast Implants - MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT

Article by
Kevin Timms

The MHRA has reported that there is uncertain evidence that women with breast implants may have a very small but increased risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the breast. The MHRA commented in a Medical Device Alert on 16 February 2011 as follows:

“The FDA recently published a Safety Communication entitled ‘FDA Medical Device Safety Communication:

Reports of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in Women with Breast Implants

Rent Arreas and Possession Proceedings

Article by
Kevin Timms

Claiming Possession from Unpaid Rent Arrears

If you are evicting a tenant based upon unpaid rent arrears (2 months/8 weeks), the court will require a statement showing such rent arrears before proceedings are issued and before the court hearing takes place. You must note that in many cases the tenant will not pay the due rent arrears once vacating the property. There are a number of reasons why this may be but generally, if the tenant cannot afford to pay you in the first instance, they will be unwilling and unable to pay once you have possession. However, it is a formal requirement that a statement of account is provided to the court.

How to Obtain Order for Possession - Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Article by
Kevin Timms

The majority of private landlords are leasing their properties to tenants for a fixed period of time under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. An Assured Shorthold Tenancy allows landlords the right of possession after the fixed term has expired unless there is a reasonable ground to gain possession of the property during the fixed term. The contrast to this being an Assured Tenancy where the landlord does not have an automatic right to possession of the property when the tenancy comes to an end.

As many landlords will know, it is particularly difficult to obtain possession of their property by evicting such tenants when a problem arises, such as unpaid rent or the tenancy coming to an end and the tenant being uncooperative. In the situation where a landlord knows that rent will not be paid, there is an urgency to obtain a possession order so that the landlord may once again return to profit.

Personal Injury Specialists Solicitors

Article by
Kevin Timms

Garden House Solicitors is a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors with experience with experience in making claims for many different types of injuries. Our experienced personal injury solicitors make personal injury claims ranging from accidents on the road to accidents at work (employers liability) and defective product claims against product manufacturers. We have the experience and knowledge to deal with individual claims and group actions. We make claims for accidents and injuries in the UK and overseas.

We understand our client’s needs following what can be a traumatic and painful experience and we will ensure that you receive 100% of the compensation you deserve and funding for any rehabilitation or future care that you may require. We will also make prompt applications for interim payments for your lost earnings and any treatment you may need.

DePuy ASRs Chain Reaction of Damage

Article by
Kevin Timms

The New York Times released an article entitled Remedy is Elusive as Metallic Hips Fail at a Fast Rate. This article explains the true extent of damage which can be caused by an artificial hip implant manufactured by DePuy International Limited, the DePuy ASR hip implant.

The extent of the injuries were described as a biological dead zone. Though all hip implants will wear with time, the article details the severity of the injuries which can occur in younger individuals as a result of cobal and chromium debris wear from the DePuy ASR hip implants.