Category: Products
The priority of protecting consumers from unsafe products
Protecting consumers from unsafe products must always be seen as an absolute priority in the UK and, indeed, around the world.
This is why we were keen to see the results of a recent parliamentary publication. This publication has highlighted a number of flaws and matters to be addressed to ensure that the public is properly protected from harm. We will take a brief look at the headings in terms of the areas of concern, and give our expert take on things.
In terms of action for justice, we remind people that we can represent victims of harm caused by products on a No Win, No Fee basis.
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.
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.
Rise in anti-depressants prescriptions for children
The reported rise of anti-depressants prescriptions for children could be a cause for concern, particularly when the use of anti-depressants is not generally recommended by the NHS for under 18’s.
Recent figures reportedly show over 1,500 children under the age of 5 were prescribed anti-depressants, with the numbers reaching over 91,000 for 16-year olds.
Any recent reported rise in anti-depressants prescriptions for children could be partially attributed to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March. Many people, children included, have struggled to receive professional mental health services as the waiting times are so long. With the NHS staff under further pressure to cope during the pandemic, many surgeries and treatments have seen pauses and delays as resources are directed elsewhere.
Pelvic mesh compensation claims
Our specialist team at the Group Action Lawyers represent victims for pelvic mesh compensation claims on a No Win, No Fee basis in England and Wales.
We have been helping people with advice and claims in this complex and niche area of law for a number of years, and this is one of the over 50 group and multi-party actions that we have launched. We have a great deal of experience and specialism in medical compensation cases, having recovered millions of pounds for clients over several years.
You are not alone, and you have a voice for justice. Here is some brief guidance about how we may be able to help you, as well as how you can contact the team for free, no-obligation advice today.
Medical product compensation claims
We have a huge amount of experience when it comes to representing people for medical product compensation claims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
If you have been harmed and have suffered injury and loss as a result of a medical product, you could be entitled to bring a legal case for damages. These kinds of claims can be hard to succeed with, so it is important that you get the right legal representatives, and experience is key.
It is often the case that you have a fight on your hands when you are taking on huge multinational corporations that manufacture medical devices. We can be your voice for justice to make sure that you receive some form of justice for what you have had to go through.
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.
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.