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File photo of PIP breast implants Guibbaud Christophe

PIP breast implant victims should receive compensation, says French court

The court said that German company TUV Rheinland committed negligence by certifying them as safe.

A FRENCH APPEAL court has ruled that around 2,700 victims of a breast implant scandal are entitled to compensation.

The court said that German company TUV Rheinland committed negligence by certifying them as safe.

The ruling, which might not be final and could go to another higher court, was announced by France-based association PIPA, which represents victims.

The scandal first emerged in 2010 after doctors noticed abnormally high rupture rates in women with implants produced by the French company Poly Implant Prothese, or PIP. Their implants were used in hundreds of thousands of women worldwide.

Olivier Aumaitre, the lawyer representing the 2,700 women who brought this current case, said during a news conference: “It’s clearly a historical day for PIP breast implant victims all over the world and for women’s rights.”

PIPA said that the amount of compensation is still to be determined.

Lawyers for TUV Rheinland did not immediately comment.

The ruling, Mr Aumaitre hopes, might have implications for the many other victims, although he conceded he was “not aware of other compensation wins in other countries”.

Christine, a victim, who did not want to give her surname, said: “It is a relief today, as we can acknowledge our status as victims. Almost all of us have lasting effects. I still have silicon in my organs.”

PIP was liquidated in 2010. Its founder, Jean-Claude Mas, was later given a four-year prison sentence. The implants, it was discovered, were filled with cheap, industrial-grade silicone which was not suitable for use in humans. Mas died in 2019.

TUV defence lawyer Cecile Derycke has suggested TUV Rheinland was being targeted as a scapegoat because it is solvent.

TUV Lawyer Christelle Coslin told the AP that “TUV Rheinland denies all responsibility. The missing link here is the actual liable party.”

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    Mute John Thomas
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    Jan 27th 2012, 3:24 PM

    Horrendous statistic for the Spanish. We would be the same if not for the Multinationals.

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    Mute Chris
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    Jan 27th 2012, 8:50 PM

    Very true..although I think Ireland really needs to reduce its dependance on them..we really need some Irish exporters..An entrepreneurial spirit has to be fostered..people need to take risks and start making companies..we obviously have the skills and knowledge..just have to commercialize it!

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    Mute Cpm
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    Jan 27th 2012, 10:08 PM

    No we wouldn’t. The population of Ireland is barely 5 million.

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    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
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    Jan 27th 2012, 3:41 PM

    With an unemployment rate like that it’s hard to see how Spain can stay in the euro. The economists are saying that southern europe needs a lower value currency while Germany is benefiting from a currency that is allowing its exports to be very competitive. No wonder the Germans favour Croatia, Poland and Romania to enter the EU. Cheap food coming into the EU while these weak economies lower the value of the euro thus boosting German exports. A flood of cheap food wont help Irish agriculture.

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    Mute Tim Henchin
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    Jan 27th 2012, 3:50 PM

    For Spain the Euro is stronger than what they need to grow and develop and get out of this mess. For Germany and Holland and Finland, the Euro is too weak giving them a massive export boost.

    When Portugal has its debt write off, the markets will come for Spain. At that stage it may be time to organize a some what orderly break of the currency zone.

    When you have 40% youth unemployment, and no hope and the only demand is that you be good little Europeans and do what you are told by Brussels, then you have a scenario for social breakdown and revolution.

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    Mute john g mcgrath
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    Jan 27th 2012, 3:58 PM

    Tell them to send us our deficit bill as we pay every bodies bills whether we incur them or not

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    Mute Frank2521
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    Jan 27th 2012, 4:15 PM

    They should go to the Irish School Of Massaging Numbers and they could reduce that number by at least 10%.

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    Mute john g mcgrath
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    Jan 27th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Where Kevin Cardiff when you need him

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    Mute Dave
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    Jan 27th 2012, 11:04 PM

    The widely held view is that this number IS massaged and that unemployment in Spain is closer to 30%. That is a frightening number…in a way, it puts our situation in perspective.

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    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
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    Jan 27th 2012, 4:05 PM

    It’s funny how the politicians in Europe are pushing for the federalist state. So many different economies, languages and cultures yet they think we can all be one happy family in one big country. Look at the breakup of Yugoslavia to see what our future could be.

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    Mute Frank2521
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    Jan 27th 2012, 11:24 PM

    And you think that Ireland’s unemployed rate is less than 30% The courses are a coverup. Compare the German way of calculating unemployment and the Irish and UK way and we massage the figures don’t tell the truth.

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