Dutch Allergan lawsuit off the starting blocks

On Monday 12 December 2022, the Hausfeld team in Amsterdam issued a writ on behalf of the foundation Bureau Clara Wichmann against pharmaceutical company Allergan (now AbbVie). This marks the start of a collective action for 60,000 Dutch women with Biocell breast implants from Allergan.

These implants are linked to a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma described as Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. In 2018, Allergan was ordered to remove the implants from the European market.

Bureau Clara Wichmann claims compensation to enable women to have the implants removed and undergo reconstructive surgery. The foundation also claims compensation for pain and suffering. The total claim value can add up to more than € 900 million.

Anniek de Ruijter, Director at Bureau Clara Wichmann:

"Of the 60,000 people affected in the Netherlands, thousands of women have now signed up for the 'Silicone Case'. And that is exactly our approach: together we stand strong. As a woman alone claiming compensation from an international pharmaceutical company is a big step, but together demanding the amount to which all these women are entitled sends a strong signal to manufacturers of medical products for women."

A first hearing in the case is expected to take place in the fall of 2023.

The dedicated website 'Siliconen Zaak' offers additional information and is also accessible in English. 

The writ in full (in Dutch)

Media

Media coverage on the issuing of the writ has been extensive:

nrc
Avro Tros
Gelderlander
Ad
Noord Hollands Dagblad

Also, Dutch television program RADAR featured a lengthy report with interviews of victims and the foundation’s director highlighting with lies at the core of this action on 12 December. The next day, Hausfeld’s Jantina Hiemstra gave a radio interview on the Dutch national news programme, NOS (from 3:05:36 onwards).

Other News