Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors in Hertfordshire

If you have suffered a personal injury which was not your fault and you live in Hertfordshire be sure to contact Garden House Solicitors to make a personal injury compensation claim.

Defective Product Claims - Inadequate Product Warning

Article by
Kevin Timms

Many allegations in defective product compensation claims arise where a manufacturer has failed to give an adequate warning of dangers associated with a product and any necessary instructions or directions for use. It may also be alleged that a manufacturer has made a declaration as to the safety of a product (whether this be express or implied). In this respect such a declaration may come in the form of personal assurances, advertising or in the general presentation or labeling of the product.

Defective Product Claims - Design Defect

Article by
Kevin Timms

A product may be defective if it is unsafe for its intended use because of a design defect.

A defective product compensation claim in respect of a design defect can often be complex as the design of a product may involve a number of variables including durability, aesthetics and ergonomics.

Defective Product Claims - Manufacturing Defects

Article by
Kevin Timms

As a consumer, you are entitled to expect that a product conforms to the standard of safety common to that product generally and as marketed by the product manufacturer. Where an individual product fails to comply with that standard because it was not manufactured as intended, then that product will be defective. If that defect causes a personal injury to an individual a defective product compensation claim can be brought against the manufacturer of that defective product under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Another 7,000 women with unauthorised PIP breast implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

It has just been announced that an additional 7,000 women are known to have been provided with PIP breast implants. This brings the total number of women with PIP breast implants to over 50,000.

Kevin Timms of Garden House Solicitors who has been appointed to the steering committee along with four other solicitors which shall be taking the PIP litigation forward was asked to comment on the breaking news live on Sky News today as the story aired.

He commented that there will be a Group Litigation Order which will decide the outcome of all PIP claims being made. This is being pursued by the PIP steering committee.

For those women who have concerns about their health or have only just become aware that they have received PIP breast implants, they should seek medical advice from their GP or implanting surgeon.

Furthermore, the MHRA have just announced today that there is no guarantee that PIP breast implants sold prior to 2001 did not contain unauthorised silicone gel. The MHRA have therefore recommended that all women with PIP breast implants be supported in accordance with the Department of Health’s recommendations of January 2012.

For more information please contact Julie Retallick on 01992 422 128 or email Julie on Julie@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk.

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

---

Tel: 01992 422 128

---

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Credit Card Provider Pays Up for PIP Breast Implants

Article by
Kevin Timms

It was announced today that a credit card provider, Lloyds TSB, has reimbursed a PIP patient £3,700 for her PIP breast implants.

The President of BAAPS has described this as a "ray of hope" for other PIP patients.

Many women who have PIP breast implants seek a similar remedy. However, for those who have suffered a rupture of their PIP breast implants or other adverse symptoms, this remedy would be insufficient. Where an injury is identifiable in a particular patient, that patient is entitled to all of her financial losses in addition to personal injury compensation. 

Where PIP breast implants were paid for by credit card it may be possible to bring a like claim against the credit provider as the clinic itself.

If you have concerns about your PIP breast implants please contact Kevin Timms or Julie Retallick on 01992 422 128 or email the team at info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk. 

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

---

Tel: 01992 422 128

---

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Metal on Metal Hip Implant Update

Article by
Kevin Timms

The MHRA issued further advice on metal on metal hip implants, such as the DePuy ASR and Finsbury ADEPT hip implants, on 28 February 2012. The advice is that patients with a metal on metal hip implant should be monitored every year for the life of their hip implant.

The Clinical Director of the MHRA has confirmed that “patients have a small risk of suffering from complications from having metal on metal hip implants”. She further said that the MHRA has “updated patient management and monitoring advice to surgeons and doctors that they should annually monitor patients for the lifetime of their metal on metal total hip replacements”.

Many patients with metal on metal hip implants develop progressive soft tissue reactions to the metal wear debris associated with the metal on metal hip implant. This can lead to difficult revision surgery for the metal prosthesis.  Experts have suggested that the early revision of poorly performing metal on metal hip implants should provide a better revision outcome.

If you have been provided with a metal on metal hip implant such as a DePuy ASR, Finsbury ADEPT, Corin Cormet or Zimmer Durom and have been experiencing problems contact Kevin Timms to discuss your prospects of bringing a metal on metal hip implant compensation claim. 

We are also investigating claims where the hip implant used was not a metal on metal hip implant. 

Kevin can be contacted on 01992 422 128 or by email at Kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk.

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

---

Tel: 01992 422 128

---

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

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/

---

Tel: 01992 422 128

---

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.