Tag: product safety
Medoject hypodermic and blunt fill needles
An update has recently been issued by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) warning of the potential dangers of Medoject hypodermic and blunt fill needles produced by the manufacturer. After concerns were raised about certain batches, the manufacturer issued a Field Safety Notice recalling the five batches of needles in question, according to the MHRA. Used by healthcare services across the UK, there is a worry that a potentially harmful substance may have been unknowingly injected into patients.
Over the years, we have taken on a number of claims regarding faulty or harmful medical products, including hernia mesh and metal-on-metal hip implants. One of our biggest group litigation cases is that of the PIP breast implants – in our action, we have already recovered over £1m in compensation for the victims.
Although there is currently no evidence to suggest that anyone has been harmed by the Medoject needles, we believe that all cases like these require thorough investigation.
MHRA raises alert regarding potential “incomplete sterilisation” – Steril Milano
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK government regulator that monitors the practices of medical product manufacturers and the safety of the goods they produce, has reportedly identified fraudulent activity involving a company based in Italy. Steril Milano is understood to provide services for sterilising medical equipment and devices for a number of manufacturers, including some who supply products to the UK.
However, following its acquisition by a new parent company in 2021, it is believed that Steril Milano did not complete sterilisation processes to the required standard for dozens of manufacturers to whom it provides its services. In response, according to the MHRA, they were forced to take action to ensure that the risk to patients in the UK is minimised.
Whenever concerns are raised about the safety of medical products, it is essential that regulators act to investigate the manufacturers suspected of negligence, as well as alerting relevant hospitals and healthcare centres to give them an opportunity to protect their patients. The MHRA has hopefully acted quickly enough in this case to prevent as many patients as possible from being harmed.
Thermal windows and the car emissions scandal
Many people will have seen the countless headlines surrounding the car emissions scandal, but it can be difficult to understand exactly what methods car manufacturers might have used to cheat emissions tests. It has been suggested that some carmakers have allegedly exploited so-called ‘thermal windows’ which could allow vehicles to still produce what could be deemed as excessive nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
If such accusations are proven to be true, it may be that many diesel vehicles have been producing significant volumes of harmful emissions. Regardless of the exact method used, any suspicions of emissions cheating should be addressed.
Following the High Court ruling that Volkswagen has been using defeat devices in certain diesel vehicles, we have started group actions against other suspected car manufacturers over similar allegations. Those who own or have previously owned affected vehicles may be entitled to recover thousands of pounds in compensation.
Claim in the Porsche emissions compensation action
Ever since the news of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke in 2015, we have been investigating allegations that several other carmakers may also have engaged in the use of potentially deceitful practices by allegedly deploying defeat devices to cheat emissions tests. Porsche is one such car manufacturer that we are looking into, and with Volkswagen as its parent company, we have reason to believe that Porsche vehicles may also be associated with emissions irregularities. We have already taken on many clients for Porsche emissions compensation claims, and we continue to take action for people affected now.
Many vehicle owners may have been affected, and it could be revealed that their cars were producing illegal levels of NOx emissions without their knowledge. If this is found to be the case, Porsche could be held liable for a breach of your consumer rights, meaning that they may have to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to each of the affected owners.
Although there may be hundreds or thousands of owners who have been affected, you can only access compensation if you sign-up to claim before any court deadlines are imposed. This is why we urge anyone who thinks that they may be affected to start their claim ASAP, and you can use our simple online sign-up form to find out if you are eligible to claim now.
The difficulties of vaginal mesh removal
As stories of vaginal mesh complications continue to emerge, many of those who have suffered from the implants are seeking treatment to lessen or stop the pain and injuries they have faced. However, the difficulties of vaginal mesh removal can mean that some of the harmful consequences are, unfortunately, irreversible.
Vaginal mesh implants, used to treat things like urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, have been the subject of controversy for many years. While approved by the UK regulator, the MHRA, the issue of serious complications can be shocking, with many women speaking out about the complications that they have suffered. In response, we have taken on claims from many women affected by the implants, who we believe are eligible to claim compensation for the harm they have been caused.
Commissioner to champion people harmed by medicines or medical devices
In a huge win for anyone harmed by medicines or medical devices, the government has agreed to the appointment of an Independent Patients’ Commissioner. Their role will be to stand up for people who have fallen victim to the dangerous side-effects of certain medical products.
At The Group Action Lawyers, we have been raising the unheard voices of suffering patients for many years, taking on many clients in large group and multi-party actions against powerful medical companies and manufacturers. As such, we welcome the news of this new public service, which represents a significant step in the right direction for patients and overall safety.
Thousands could make Essure compensation claims
If you have suffered as a result of complications arising from the use of Essure, perhaps leading to the removal of the device or a recommendation by your doctor to have Essure removed, you could be one of the many eligible to make Essure compensation claims with the Group Action Lawyers.
Essure is a form of permanent birth control that is usually fitted whilst a patient is awake. It is then designed to sterilise the recipient and was manufactured by Bayer HealthCare in the United States but has been fitted in women across the globe.
Study shows hernia complications most likely to occur 30 days after surgery
In some cases, the chance of hernia complications occurring post-op is up to 30%. A U.S. study reportedly indicates that hernia complications are most likely to occur at least 30 days after surgery.
The study looked into all incisional hernia repair hospital admissions between 2010 and 2014 and found that, out of almost 16,000 patients, almost 20% were readmitted within one year of their surgery, and 60% of were readmitted after 30 days. Of the 16,000 patients, 88% were reportedly treated using hernia mesh, and one-third had to undergo further major surgery.
This extremely high percentage of both short-term and long-term readmissions could indicate how dangerous the use of hernia mesh can be. The complications arising from hernia mesh over 30 days after surgery can be incredibly serious. In the UK, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has been criticised for failing to review the use after patients came forward with complications. As a law firm, we represent people claiming compensation for hernia mesh problems.
Emissions compensation claims with The Group Action Lawyers
The Group Action Lawyers fight for justice in a number of emissions compensation actions, representing clients for claims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
This includes cases against Mercedes, Porsche, and Nissan and Renault. If you have been a part of a recall for any of those carmakers, we may be able to take a compensation case forward for you now.
Here is a little advice about our emissions work and our experience in this area of law. To get in touch with the team now, please see our Contact Page here.
Hernia mesh compensation claims: what you need to know
We represent victims for hernia mesh compensation claims and we can work for our clients on a No Win, No Fee basis, with a free initial case assessment.
We understand how severe the pain and problems can be when hernia mesh has gone wrong. Claiming compensation can be important for any victim to receive some form of justice for what they have to go through.
Here is some guidance about when you could claim, what you could claim for, and how we assess claims to bring them to a successful conclusion.
Pelvic mesh inquiry shows some patients were ignored
The results of the recently published report that follows a large-scale pelvic mesh inquiry raises significant concerns about how women have been treated over this issue.
As the legal representatives for a number of women claiming compensation, the report results did not come as much of a surprise to us. That being said, it was no less worrying to see the results of it.
For some, it may act as some form of vindication. Either way, we represent victims for compensation cases, and if you have yet to look into making a claim, we urge you to speak to our team as soon as you possibly can to avoid missing out.
Johnson & Johnson pelvic mesh settlements
News of the Johnson & Johnson pelvic mesh settlements in Scotland are welcome here at the Group Action Lawyers as the wider fight for justice continues.
Settlements have now been achieved for thousands of people worldwide, and millions of pounds in damages have been paid out. But the battle for many women rages on, and we represent people for cases here in England and Wales.
Here, we will briefly cover the settlement in Scotland and how this affects vaginal mesh claimants in the rest of the UK.