NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York woman didn't contract breast implant-associated cancer but is still suing their maker because she had to take them out for fear that she would.
Bari Merkow filed suit March 22 in New York County Supreme Court against Allergan, the manufacturer of her breast implants, and Abbvie, the company that purchased Allergan in 2020.
Merkow says she underwent a breast reconstruction that featured Natrelle 133 tissue expanders 410 breast implants, which were recalled five years later by Allergan. This was done after the Food and Drug Administration determined a connection between Allergan's BIOCELL implants and a rare form of lymphoma, the suit says.
Merkow had the products removed in October 2019 and says she suffered personal injuries, pain and suffering, psychological overlay and lost earnings, not to mention medical expenses.
Merkow is represented by Scott Epstein of Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein in New York.