Introduction
Thousands of women have become sick after having breast implants containing silicone gel. The use of the implants was restricted in the early 1990s but many women still have medical symptoms resulting from the implants.
Klein Lawyers, reached a settlement of $25 million U.S. for the Breast Implant class action with Dow Corning, who had approximately 50% of the breast implant market. The B.C. Supreme Court approved the settlement in February 1999 and the Klein Lawyers, settlement became part of Dow Corning’s bankruptcy reorganization. Until recently, the bankruptcy reorganization was under appeal in the United States causing unexpected delays in proceeding with the settlement in British Columbia. Information regarding Dow Corning Bankruptcy Joint Plan of Reorganization is available on the following websites: www.sfdct.com and www.tortcomm.org.
We are pleased to advise that the appeal process is now complete and June 1, 2004 was set as the effective date of Dow Corning’s bankruptcy reorganization plan. The deadline to submit a claim in the Dow Corning /British Columbia and Other Provinces Breast Implant Litigation Settlement was February 1, 2005. You can obtain more information about the Settlement on the Claims Administrator’s website at www.canadianbreastimplantsettlement.com.
Klein Lawyers, has also reached a settlement in British Columbia of up to $4.3 million in a class action with three manufacturers of silicone gel breast implants: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Baxter Healthcare and 3M. The Settlement Agreement was approved by the B.C. Supreme Court on August 5, 2005. The Settlement Agreement and Claim Forms can be viewed on the Claims Administrator’s website at www.deloitte.com/ca/bb3settlement. The deadline for opting into or out of this settlement was December 2, 2005. The deadline to submit claim forms in the settlement was February 1, 2006.
The settlement documents for the Breast Implant Litigation in British Columbia can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
- Dow Corning /British Columbia and Other Provinces Breast Implant Litigation Settlement
- British Columbia Bristol-Myers, Baxter & 3M Breast Implant Litigation Settlement
“The negotiations were conducted by plaintiffs’ counsel with experience in class proceedings.”
“I am satisfied it is apparent from the material, which is complicated, and, I might say very well organized...”
“Plaintiff’s counsel are senior members of the bar who have extensive experience in personal injury litigation and class actions..”
“Mr. Klein is experienced and able in relation to class proceedings. Over time he has acquired expertise that permits him to make a valuable contribution...”
“The lead class counsel is experienced and has been recognized by the courts in approving settlements in other class actions.”
“Counsel for the plaintiffs in the various jurisdictions appear to be experienced in class proceedings, and to be recognized as skilled litigators.”
“…Plaintiff’s counsel retained the British Columbia law firm of Klein Lawyers to assist in the litigation. That firm has extensive experience...”
“Klein Lawyers is a litigation firm focusing on class actions. The firm is based in Vancouver but also has a Toronto office.”
“The proposed Class Counsel have excellent qualifications…”
“Mr. Klein of Klein Lawyers has over 20 years of experience in the field of class action litigation and has appeared as plaintiffs’ counsel in over 25 certified class actions...”
“Class counsel, Klein Lawyers LLP and Kim Orr Barristers P.C., are highly experienced in class action litigation. Both firms have practiced in the specialized area of class action litigation for over 20 years”
“British Columbia class counsel took on this case on a contingency basis, and faced a real risk of not being paid at all for their services.”
“Class counsel pursued this litigation to completion on their own rather than with a consortium of counsel from various provinces.”
“Klein Lawyers has continuously posted updates about the case on its website during the litigation, and has posted the court decisions...”
“There is little doubt that the lawyers of the firm expended a great deal of time in prosecuting the action, in negotiating a settlement...”
“…Class counsel undertook an extensive communication plan to advise potential class members of the proposed settlement and to advise them of the...”
