Insurance is not liable for PIP breast implants

Allianz Insurance rejects reimbursement of low-quality breast implants

01/04/2012

The scandal surrounding the inferior breast implants of the now defunct French manufacturer Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) is drawing ever wider circles. Now Allianz, as insurer of PIP, has voted against reimbursement of the damages incurred.

Because like that „Financial Times Germany“ citing a statement made by a company spokesman for Allianz on Wednesday, the insurance company assumes that the contract with PIP is invalid because of false information. Allianz or its French subsidiary, which had taken over the insurance from PIP, was therefore not willing to assume liability for the inferior silicone implants.

Incorrect information from the breast implant manufacturer upon completion of the insurance
In the opinion of the alliance, PIP knowingly made false statements when the insurance was taken out, which explains why the contract is invalid and that the costs of consequential damage caused by substandard breast implants are not covered by the insurance company. Although the now insolvent manufacturer PIP was insured with the French subsidiary of the Munich Allianz Group from 2005 to 2010. However, the insurance does not want to pay for the damage caused by low-quality silicone implants delivered during this time „Financial Times Germany“. Quite understandable, the insurance but threaten immense claims for damages in light of the world's approximately 300,000 women who have been supplied in recent years with a low-quality silicone implants from PIP.

Inferior silicone processed in breast implants
The French subsidiary of Allianz had already sued the insolvency administrator of PIP in 2010 and the knowingly wrong information on the insurance complained. A first hearing in the relevant procedure is scheduled to take place on 2 February. As the „Financial Times Germany“ had reported that „Bureau Central de Tarification“ the Allianz subsidiary was originally asked to insure PIP. The French authorities are organizing the insurance for companies that can not find any other cover because of the high risk, the „Financial Times Germany“. However, the consequences of the insurance policy could hardly be foreseen at the time. The fact that PIP processed inferior silicone in its breast implants, which made the silicone pads more susceptible to tears and more likely to cause significant health complications in the patients, became known much later.

Worldwide up to 300,000 women affected
In total, up to 300,000 women worldwide are supposed to wear low-quality silicone implants made by PIP in their breasts. Especially in Latin America but also in France implants were often used. In other European countries PIP breast implants were also used, but to a much lesser extent. In France, the state health authorities recently asked around 30,000 affected patients to have their implants removed to avoid further health consequences. The costs are to be borne by the health insurance companies. How many women in Germany received a PIP breast implant has not yet been conclusively clarified. Currently, the authorities are trying to get an overview of the number of people affected. According to initial findings, the inferior breast implants should have been used in at least ten clinics in Baden-Württemberg alone.

Breast implants increasingly tore and cause inflammation
Apparently out of sheer greed for profit, PIP had not used high-quality silicone intended for medical purposes in the production of breast implants, but had resorted to a cheaper version of the German chemicals retailer Brenntag. As a spokesman for the chemicals trader confirmed on Tuesday, PIP was using the industry silicone „Baysilone®“ which is known inter alia as a sealant in the construction industry. According to the company spokesman, however, PIP was expressly advised at the time of delivery that the silicone could only be used for industrial purposes. Nevertheless, the French manufacturer had used the inferior material for the production of silicone implants, with fatal consequences for the health of those affected. The implants are increasingly torn and many women suffered as a result of severe inflammation. Also a possibly increased cancer risk by the inferior silicone gel is still under investigation. (Fp)

Read about:
Dispute over breast implant: cash must not pay
Sexy Cora died after breast surgery
Breast implants may burst
High health risks due to breast implants
Faulty silicone pad implanted in women

Picture: Rainer Sturm