Vaginal mesh scandal: new warning from expert over plastic material
The vaginal mesh scandal has hit the news again this week as we continue to represent victims claiming compensation for pelvic mesh procedures that have gone wrong.
The invasive surgical procedure was under a widespread pause last year following further reviews into the safety and efficacy of the devices. In April this year, revised guidelines were released by NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), which many have argued do not go far enough.
We know from years of experience and from the clients that we help that the impact of mesh gone wrong can be absolutely awful.
Marriott data breach fine set to hit £99m
The Marriott data breach fine to be issued by the Information Commissioner’s office (ICO) from the breach that was discovered last year is set to be £99m.
News of the penalty came within days of the record-setting provisional fine that’s been set for the British Airways data breach in the sum of £183m. GDPR allows the regulator to fine organisations up to 4% of their global annual turnover, and for large organisations who are guilty of significant breaches of important data laws, monetary penalties – as seen in these first two big ones – can be substantial.
Victims of the data breach can also be entitled to claims compensation, but this is a separate matter to any fine that’s issued by the ICO.
Does the British Airways data breach fine mean compensation for victims?
The provisional £183m British Airways data breach fine means that the airline is set to be severely punished for the 2018 cyber-attacks that took place.
Fines can be levied at up to 4% of a company’s global annual turnover, and in the BA case, the fine is understood to equate to 1.5% of their 2017 turnover.
The financial penalties that can be issued under GDPR are far higher than what they used to be under its predecessor, the Data Protection Act. But what about compensation for the hundreds of thousands of victims whose information was compromised?
BA data breach fine of £183m sets new record
The BA data breach fine that’s set to be issued in the sum of £183m will be a record high since GDPR was put into legislation in May 2018.
In accordance with the new rules, GDPR fines can amount to 4% of a company’s global annual turnover. In the case of British Airways, their fine of £183m is understood to be 1.5% of their 2017 global annual turnover.
The fact that the fine is set to be so high reflects just how serious the 2018 data breaches incidents were. The British Airways compensation action is one of the over 40 different group and multi-party actions our lawyers are representing people in. You can sign-up to start a claim now on a No Win, No Fee basis here.
Stanmore hip implant recall
The Stanmore hip implant recall published earlier this year relates to the potential for some Modular Femoral Heads being contained in the incorrect packaging.
The urgent Field Safety Notice issued by Stanmore Implants – who are a part of the Stryker Corporation – outlines the issue and the potential dangers. It may be that patients could be fitted with the incorrect implant heads if the problem is not identified by surgeons and medical staff at the time of an operation.
As with most medical implant problems, this recall is a serious matter, and we have seen the damage that can be done to patients when things go wrong with hip implants.
Ethicon surgical staplers medical device alert
A medical device alert has been issued and published by the MHRA in relation to Ethicon surgical staplers, which have reportedly caused injury to some patients.
It’s understood that there’s a risk that some of the devices manufactured from March 2018 have not been working properly. Reported issues include the devices misfiring or failing to fire the staples during surgery. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) say that there has been increased complaints of malformed stables with some devices being returned.
With this issue involving invasive surgery, the alert is one that needs to be taken incredibly seriously.
Hernia mesh side-effects: legal advice
If you’re suffering with prolonged or unusual hernia mesh side-effects, we may be able to assist you with the legal advice and representation you may need.
We’re currently representing a group of people who are claiming for hernia mesh compensation having suffered horrendous side-effects from undergoing the procedure. With the risks of complications being as high as 30%, leaving some patients with extensive complications, compensation can be important.
That’s why we’ve agreed to act for the patients we’re already running cases for. If you’re eligible to start a case with us, we may be able to help you as well.
Private mesh removal surgery and compensation claims
In some cases, women feel that the only way forward is to opt for private mesh removal surgery when suffering problems after a vaginal mesh procedure.
We represent a number of women who are claiming for compensation having suffered pelvic mesh complications. We know how bad it can be, especially when some patients are left unable to walk or work at all. We know of cases where women have struggled to get help and advice form the NHS, and cases where patients are waiting over a year for referrals.
You may feel that you have to take matters into your own hands and go for private treatment and surgery. This can be factored into a claim for compensation.
Knee replacement bearing recall
A knee replacement bearing recall has been initiated by Biomet UK Limited after the discovery that there’s a risk of some of their bearings being placed in the wrong packaging.
According to the available Field Safety Notice published by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), left-handed bearings may have been placed in packaging for right-handed bearings. The discovery was reportedly made after a complaint had been received, and the recall that has been put in place affects products distributed this year.
Recalls involving medical devices and medical implants can be quite common. In some cases, the risk of any actual harm to patients is relatively low. However, in some instances, the problems that people can suffer with can be severe.
Thousands more affected by the TalkTalk data breach
The information for thousands more victims of the 2015 TalkTalk data breach incident have been found online as the number of victims expands.
We’re representing a group of victims who are claiming for data breach compensation who were affected by the TalkTalk hack of 2015. This is one of the over 40 different group and multi-party actions we’re fighting for justice in on a No Win, No Fee basis.
If you are one of the additional 4,545 victims of the incident, or if you were notified previously and you’ve yet to start your case, make sure you contact us ASAP.
NHS breast cancer screening overhaul
There may be an overhaul into NHS breast cancer screening practices after last year’s scandal that led to some 450,000 women in the UK not receiving their vital invitation for screening.
We were contacted for advice soon after news of the scandal hit the headlines, and we have agreed to take claims for compensation forward on a No Win, No Fee basis. Our legal action is underway, and this is one of the over 40 different group and multi-party actions our lawyers are fighting for justice in.
If you were affected by last year’s screening scandal and you’ve yet to start your claim with us, we can offer you free, no-obligation advice now. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the breaking of the issue, we may be set to see a serious overhaul when it comes to how the NHS manages their screening services.
Should there be better hernia mesh regulations?
As we take on more and more compensation claims for patients who have suffered complications, should there be better hernia mesh regulations?
We’re now acting for a number of people who have come forward and asked for our help, and they all have something in common. They have undergone hernia repair surgery that has involved the use of mesh, and it hasn’t been effective.
Although vaginal mesh has been in the news for years, hernia mesh and the complications that can arise is a more recent thing. Will we see a pause on the use of the procedure so this perhaps controversial form of surgery can be looked at in greater detail? Will there be changes to the way patients are selected for this kind of surgery? Will we see better regulations?