(posted on alt.support.breast-implant)

Ontario Class Action Shares in $31.5 Million Breast Implant Settlement

TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ - Ontario women who received breast implants manufactured by three U.S. firms, are now eligible to take part in a multi million dollar settlement that was reached earlier this year in a U.S. court.

The London, Ontario Law Firm of Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler, has announced that on June 7, 1999, a second settlement was reached that allows Ontario women to share in the original fund valued at $31,500,000, (U.S.) on an equal basis with American claimants. The three U.S. companies named in the class action are: McGhan Medical Corporation, CUI Corporation and Inamed Corporation.

The three companies sold and distributed their implants under a range of brand names including: Biocell, Intrashiel, Natrashiel, UHP, Cox-Uphoff, Intravent, Versafil and Drie, among others.

The Settlement Agreement applies to women who received their implants in Ontario on, or before, May 31, 1993, or to those women who received their implants elsewhere but who have resided in Ontario as of February 18, 1993.

It is estimated that there could be approximately 45,000 women worldwide who received breast implants manufactured by the defendants and who may be eligible to participate in the Settlement. Individual compensation will likely range between $500.00 and $1,000.00 (U.S.) depending on the number of women who register as part of the class action.

Canadians Receive Equal Treatment

In three previous separate settlements, distinctions were made between foreign (Canadian) and domestic (American) claimants and various restrictions were placed on Canadian claims. However, with this new agreement, Ontario Class Members will receive the same treatment as the American Claimants. Charles Wright, a lawyer with Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler, stated, "In this case, where the assets of the defendants are so limited we are pleased with this settlement and more importantly, we are pleased that Ontario claimants will be treated the same as Americans."

The deadline to register with the Settlement is October 1, 1999. Those seeking more information on the settlement should call Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler at 1-800-461-6166.

For further information: Mike Eizenga, lawyer with Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler at (519) 672-2251 ext. 332/