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20 août, 2005 22:28

Implant battle over for some

Aug 21, 2005

After a 14 year battle against American manufacturer Dow Corning, New Zealand women affected by faulty silicone breast implants are finally getting their money.

Around 1,000 women in New Zealand have lodged claims and while the payouts are modest, those involved in the lengthy legal battle, say they are happy the cheques are being made.

Around the world 170,000 women have been demanding justice from Dow Corning for years.

Many women had the implants after losing a breast to cancer, but more suffering followed when they ruptured or leaked causing pain, fatigue arthritis and a string of health problems.

Wellington lawyer Michael Okkerse has been fighting on behalf of the 1,000 Kiwi women and he says the first 96 claims have finally been settled.

Payouts are expected to range from a few thousand dollars to around $35,000.

One woman told One News she is happy with her payment, but another says the payouts are a pittance. The second woman is not expecting hers to anywhere near cover her medical costs or the costs of treatment she may need in the future. She says she lives with pain daily and having the silicone in her system is like sitting on a time bomb.

But although Dow Corning is finally paying up it is still not accepting any blame for what went wrong.