11/02/2020 11:53
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 11/02/2020 11:53
The Union of Consumers of Argentina (UCA) and the firm Lozano Blanco & Asociados came together to
summon victims of adulterated PIP prostheses
.
In the country, an estimated 15,000 women who, between 2007 and 2010, had defective French Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) implants, reported in the news for
breaking prematurely and for containing a non-silicone gel. approved for medical use
.
“The percentage of Argentines who appeared in court for this matter is very low.
Our idea is that they
become aware and can join the demand
”,
Adriana Malek, president of the UCA
, told
Clarín
.
According to both organizations, Argentina is one of the countries with the least representation in the demand.
“Only 7% of the affected Argentines have joined so far.
This percentage is very low compared to other countries such as Colombia (53%), Venezuela (25%) and England (30%) ”, they warn.
“It would be good for women who had surgery between 2007 and 2010 to see
which implants were placed
.
That is the period in which PIPs were marketed in our country.
If they do, we want to guide them and encourage them to report.
There is still time,
”says Malek, stressing that each of the victims may receive compensation of between 17,000 and 70,000 euros.
It was a real health scandal that was alerted 10 years ago when they raided the factory where the prostheses were made, located in Seyne-sur-Mer, in the south of France.
They did so after they detected that the implants of this firm had
a high and uncommon rate of rupture
.
Jean-Claude Mas, founder of the company, declared bankruptcy after the scandal.
For this reason, the actions are carried out against the
German certifier TÜV Rheinland
, which had to verify that the product was in perfect condition prior to distribution.
“We currently
represent 100 Argentine women
.
There are still more than 15,000 who can join the lawsuit in the French courts, ”said Nathalie Lozano, founding partner of Lozano Blanco & Asociado.
From this firm they say that they have already achieved an initial compensation for 7,700 women and that today they represent more than 11,000.
In the world, it is estimated that half a million adulterated prostheses were sold.
"The rate of probable injuries, such as a rupture or fissure with a gel leak, caused by PIP breast prostheses is 7 times more than other implants," they add from the law firm and the UCA.
In turn, a survey carried out by Lozano Blanco & Asociados among the women represented showed that
64% suffered from permanent anguish derived from using or having used implants
, 68% had their self-esteem affected and 36% their work performance.
According to the same work, the average of medical expenses associated with complications with prostheses corresponds to 14 months of salary.
To receive more information, you can write to info@ucargentina.org.ar or call 11-3897-2707.