During the PIP company scandal, 47,000 British women had their breast implants filled, unknowingly, with industrial-grade silicone unsuitable for medical use.
The 2010 incident is considered a prime example of medical malpractice in recent history.
The French manufacturer Poly Implant Prothèse produced the implants, which had double the likelihood of rupturing compared to those from other manufacturers, affecting approximately 400,000 women globally.
The German certification company for cosmetic surgery, TÜV Rheinland, also faced criticism for granting safety licenses for the faulty implants. Many women are still seeking restitution as a result of the aftermath of the PIP scandal.
Poly Implant Prothèse was previously a major player in the breast implant market, distributing over 2,000 implants to plastic surgeons worldwide.
However, it was discovered that the manufacturer had utilized substandard silicone gel unauthorized for use in effective human implants when significantly high rupture rates were observed.
In 2010, the company was forced into liquidation, and Jean-Claude Mas, the company’s founder, was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to a four-year prison term.
The victims of the PIP deception have reported numerous physical and mental issues, including severe pain, inflammation, migraines, infections, stress, and decreased energy levels.
Many women suffered for years before realizing that their implant-related problems were the cause of their health issues.
The Consequences of the PIP Scandal
Following the public revelation, several cosmetic surgery clinics took measures to inform their patients about the risks, but many women received no further information from their physicians.
Many women were compelled to take action and finance the removal of their implants themselves due to the risk of ruptures, leaks, and infection caused by third-rate silicone.
Others found themselves in a challenging predicament as they couldn’t afford the expensive secondary breast augmentation procedure.
Obtaining compensation for the harm suffered was a complex process due to the scale of the incident and the number of individuals impacted.
The company was not obligated to compensate the hundreds of victims as PIP went bankrupt in 2010, leaving these women with limited legal recourse.
TÜV Rheinland faced numerous lawsuits, some of which held the company responsible for certifying the quality of the defective implants.
Thousands of women, including 540 in the UK, received compensation in the lawsuit. Advocates view this as a significant victory, although the exact compensation amount is yet to be determined. It is expected that further actions will be taken against the agency.
Nevertheless, many victims are still awaiting compensation.
