Dutch court to hear mass claim about Allergan breast implants

Judges in Amsterdam will on Tuesday begin hearing a collective lawsuit against US pharmaceutical company Allergan, now part of AbbVie, about the health risks linked to its textured breast implants.

The case has been brought by women's rights group Bureau Clara Wichmann on behalf of around 60,000 women in the Netherlands who received Allergan's Biocell implants before they were withdrawn from the market in 2019.

The group is seeking compensation for removal and reconstruction costs as well as damages for pain, illness and long-term uncertainty.

Lawyers for the group say the implants were defective, carrying a risk of a rare type of lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and other complaints including chronic fatigue and pain. They also argue Allergan failed to warn patients in time despite being aware of the risks.

“Women with complaints should not have to pay themselves to remove the implants. Allergan delivered a defective product – and then the rule is simple: not good, money back,” said Linde Bryk, head of strategic litigation at Bureau Clara Wichmann.

Lawyer Jantina Hiemstra added that the implants “did not provide the safety women were entitled to expect” and called on the manufacturer to take responsibility.

The claim is being brought under the Netherlands' mass damages law (WAMCA).

The procedure was temporarily suspended in 2024 to explore a settlement, but resumed after talks failed.

The court will set a date for its ruling after the hearing. Bureau Clara Wichmann is seeking more than €900 million in damages.