ALLERGAN BREAST IMPLANT & BIA-ALCL LAWSUIT
Reviewed by Mazie Slater’s specialized breast implant recall lawyer [David A. Mazie – Managing Partner of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman]
Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman is currently investigating and filing Allergan Biocell® textured breast implant lawsuits. Allergan Biocell® implants are saline-filled and silicone-filled textured breast implants that have been recalled due to concerns that the implants may cause cancer, specifically implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). These are individual personal injury claims, not a class action, so each woman’s case is evaluated and valued on her own diagnosis, treatment, and damages. Mazie Slater represents women nationwide, and because the federal litigation is centralized in the District of New Jersey, our personal injury attorneys, skilled in breast implant recall cases, are positioned close to where these cases are being managed.
Understanding Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
What is BIA-ALCL?
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid around the breast implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body.
Common Symptoms of BIA-ALCL
BIA-ALCL usually shows up years after implant surgery, and it doesn’t always look like a typical cancer diagnosis. Women with Allergan Biocell implants should watch for:
- Persistent swelling around the implant, often well after the initial surgical recovery period
- Pain or tenderness near the implant that doesn’t resolve
- A lump in the breast or armpit
- Changes in breast size, shape, or symmetry
- Fluid buildup (seroma) around the implant, sometimes appearing suddenly
Symptoms can take a decade or more to develop after implantation, so a symptom-free checkup last year doesn’t rule out a future diagnosis. If you notice any of these changes, contact your physician first. If you have questions about a potential legal claim afterward, our breast implant recall attorneys are available for a free consultation.
Understanding the Allergan Recall
FDA Recall of Allergan Breast Implants
On July 24, 2019, Allergan and the FDA announced a breast implant recall after an investigation confirmed that Allergan Biocell® textured breast implants were linked to a higher cancer risk than any other type of breast implant. The FDA also indicated that the breast implant cancer problems have resulted in:
- 573 Breast Implant BIA-ALCL cases reported worldwide;
- 84% (481) of the cancer cases involved Allergan Breast Implants;
- 33 deaths from BIA-ALCL have been identified;
- More than 90% of breast implant cancer deaths where the model is known involve Allergan devices
According to the FDA, the following products are part of this recall:
- Natrelle Saline-Filled breast implants (Styles 168, 163, 363 & 468)
- Natrelle Silicone-Filled breast implants (Styles 110, 115 & 120)
- Natrelle Inspira Silicone-Filled breast implants (multiple “T” Styles)
- Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Filled breast implants
- McGhan BioDIMENSIONAL Silicone-Filled breast implants (Style 153)
- McGhan Croissant Shaped Tissue Expander (Style 134)
- Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
- Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs
Who May Be Held Liable in Allergan Recall Lawsuits
Allergan (now owned by AbbVie) may be liable for a BIA-ALCL diagnosis, along with, depending on the facts of your case, the doctors, distributors, and facilities involved in implanting or monitoring your device.
Claims in the Allergan litigation have generally centered on a few legal theories:
- Failure to Warn, since Allergan knew about the elevated BIA-ALCL risk in textured implants well before the 2019 recall and didn’t adequately warn patients or doctors.
- Manufacturing Defect, since the Biocell texturing process itself, including surface debris, may have made the implants more dangerous than their design intended
- Negligence, for not meeting federal obligations to study, report, and disclose safety data.
Which of these theories applies to your case depends on your specific implant, diagnosis, and history, which is why an individual case evaluation matters.
Breast Recall Next Steps & Compensation
Removal of Allergan Breast Implants
Some surgeons are offering and recommending the removal of Allergan textured breast implants and many women have had the Biocell® implants removed. This is due to the risk of developing cancer due to the implants. Of course, you should consult your physician regarding these decisions. If you have had the textured breast implants removed, are considering removal, or just want more information, contact the experienced breast implant recall lawyers at Mazie Slater for a free consultation into your potential Allergan breast implant lawsuit.
If you’re deciding whether to have your implants removed, a few practical steps can help protect both your health and any potential claim:
- Keep records of your original implant surgery, including the manufacturer, model, and lot number if you have them
- Save any communication from Allergan, AbbVie, or your surgeon about the recall
- If you have symptoms, get evaluated before scheduling elective removal, since a diagnosis (or ruling one out) affects both your treatment plan and your case
- Keep any pathology reports from implant removal or biopsy, even if the results come back negative
Where the Allergan BIA-ALCL Litigation Stands Today
Our New Jersey law firm has filed numerous cases on behalf of women throughout the entire country who have been implanted with the recalled Biocell® breast implants. Recently, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has ordered that all Allergan BIA-ALCL cases pending in Federal Courts throughout the country be transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and assigned to the Honorable Brian R. Martinotti, U.S.D.J.
Accordingly, regardless of where you live, your case is likely to proceed in New Jersey courts, where we are located. If you have already filed an Allergan breast implant lawsuit or believe you could have a case, contact the experts at Mazie Slater in New Jersey. Our experienced breast implant recall attorneys are here to help you win your national case in the New Jersey courts.
Compensation Available in an Allergan Breast Implant Lawsuit
Women pursuing an Allergan BIA-ALCL claim may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages typically cover the direct financial cost of the diagnosis: implant removal surgery, biopsy and pathology costs, chemotherapy or radiation if the cancer has spread, and future medical monitoring. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity may also factor in for women whose treatment affects their ability to work.
- Non-economic damages address the physical and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis tied to a device that was supposed to be safe, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the disruption to daily life that treatment and monitoring can cause.
Why Choose Mazie Slater for the Allergan Breast Implant Lawsuit
Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman has recovered billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients in New Jersey and throughout the country. Additionally, we are consistently recognized by a variety of publications as one of the top personal injury law firms in New Jersey. Here are some of the personal injury awards we have won:
- Personal Injury Litigation Department of the Year by the New Jersey Law Journal
- Best NJ Personal Injury Lawyers by Best Lawyers in America
- Best NJ Medical Malpractice Attorneys by Best Lawyers in America
- Top 100 New Jersey Lawyers by Super Lawyers
- David Mazie, Adam Slater, Eric Katz, Adam Epstein, Matthew Mendelsohn, and David Estes were all named to the 2026 list.
- 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers by The Lawdragon
- Specifically, David Mazie, Adam Slater, Beth Baldinger, and Matthew Mendelsohn were awarded this in 2026.
- Personal Injury Hall of Fame for firm partners David Mazie and Adam Slater by New Jersey Law Journal
- Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney
- Less than 3% of New Jersey lawyers have earned this certification, and we have 5 of them.
Along with that track record, our attorneys are close to the court handling this litigation. The case is centralized in the District of New Jersey, so we follow its progress firsthand instead of relying on secondhand reporting.
Allergan Breast Implant Recall Lawyers
If you or someone you know has an Allergan Biocell® implant or has been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, contact one of our breast implant recall attorneys today so that we can evaluate your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Allergan Breast Implant Recall
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What is BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL stands for breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system found in the scar tissue or fluid around certain breast implants. It’s not breast cancer, it’s a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma linked specifically to textured implants, including Allergan’s Biocell line.
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What are the symptoms of BIA-ALCL?
The most common symptoms are persistent swelling, pain, or fluid buildup around the implant, sometimes years after surgery. A lump or a noticeable change in breast shape can also be a sign. Symptoms can take a decade or more to appear, so talk to your doctor about any changes, even long after your original surgery.
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Is the Allergan breast implant lawsuit a class action?
No. The Allergan BIA-ALCL cases are consolidated for pretrial proceedings as a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, but each woman’s personal injury case is filed, evaluated, and resolved individually. Consolidation streamlines evidence and pretrial motions; it doesn’t combine everyone’s compensation into a single pool.
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Do I need to have my implants removed before I can file a claim?
Not necessarily. Whether removal is medically advisable is a decision for you and your doctor. Whether it affects your legal claim depends on your specific diagnosis and history, which our expert attorneys can walk through with you during a free consultation.
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How much is an Allergan breast implant lawsuit worth?
There’s no set value. Compensation depends on factors such as your diagnosis, treatment, medical expenses, and the impact of the condition on your life. One of our experienced breast implant recall lawyers can give you a realistic sense of your case’s value after reviewing the details.
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How long do I have to file an Allergan breast implant lawsuit in New Jersey?
New Jersey and other states set deadlines for filing product liability claims, and those deadlines can be affected by when you were diagnosed rather than when you received the implant. Because this varies by state and by case, it’s worth talking to a specialized Allergan implant recall attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis.
