Lawsuits Continue to Climb Against Allergan for Rare Breast Implant-Caused Cancer

Since Allergan recalled makes and models of their BIOCELL breast implants in July for causing a rare form of cancer, hundreds of women who underwent breast implant surgery are finding their cancer diagnoses were caused by defective Allergan breast implants. A recent breast implant lawsuit against the breast implant manufacturer alleges that due to the Allergan disguising the link between their textured breast implants and cancer, a woman was continually misdiagnosed, resulting in her pain and suffering.

The lawsuit, brought forth by Misty Riportella, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California earlier this month. Riportella claims that Allergan’s failure to warn consumers and medical practitioners about the risk of breast implant cancer caused her cancer treatments to be delayed, therefore causing her long-term suffering.

In July 2019, Allergan issued a recall in the United States of its BIOCELL textured implants, removing all of the products from the market. According to the FDA, Allergan’s textured implants linked to an increased risk of women developing breast implant- associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). While BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer, it is a dangerous lymphatic cancer that can cause patients’ deaths if left untreated.

At the time of the recall, over 500 cases of BIA-ALCL were reported worldwide, and 84% of the cancer cases involved Allergan’s breast implants. Riportella received her Allergan textured implants, specifically the textured McGhan Style 168 implants, in March 2000. However, her symptoms of BIA-ALCL did not come until 2011, when she began experiencing loss of energy, sore muscles, and trouble breathing.

The Santa Clarita, CA resident was unable to continue her job due to her breast-implant-caused issues, but doctors misdiagnosed her with COPD, congestive heart failure, and other problems. Riportella was finally diagnosed with BIA-ALCL in February 2019 after noticing swelling around one of her breasts.

“Plaintiff Misty Riportella’s case exemplifies what a manufacturer’s failure to warn the FDA and thus doctors of adverse events and associated risks of significant injury means in terms of a patient being able to obtain an accurate diagnosis,” the Riportella’s lawsuit states. “Ms. Riportella was mistakenly diagnosed with a whole host of issues for years until ultimately she received lab results confirming the presence of Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.”

Riportella’s claim joins dozens of Allergan breast implant lawsuits filed by women across the United States diagnosed with BIA-ALCL. These women raise similar claims that they could have avoided their BIA-ALCL diagnoses if Allergan had sufficiently warned consumers about the cancer risk, therefore giving patients a chance to choose a different type of breast implant.

Diagnosed with BIA-ALCL? You Need to Talk to Us Today

If you received Allergan BIOCELL textured breast implants and were diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, you need to talk to us today. By filing a claim against Allergan, you may receive financial compensation for your breast implant injuries. To learn about your legal rights and see if you are eligible for a cash award, contact us today. We have professionals standing by 24/7 to answer all of your case questions and concerns. Call 1.866.428.2529.