Injury claim news
13/01/2011

Contraceptive implant leads to personal injury compensation

More than 1,000 complaints have been received by the NHS over a contraceptive implant which has become increasingly popular in the last five years, but has resulted in seven women receiving total compensation payments of nearly £200,000 for the personal injury they have suffered as a result of having the device.

The hormone-filled tube, which releases progesterone over a three-year period, can be fitted in the upper arms of women who wish to use it as a method of family planning.

However, research for the Channel 4 News television programme has found that 584 women have reported unplanned pregnancies, despite having the device, which is said to be 99% effective.

Most of the 1,607 complaints relating to the implant were made by doctors and nurses who said it was difficult to insert and could not be checked properly. There had been problems over scarring and some women had told the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency that unwanted pregnancies had caused health problems and breakdown of relationships as well as terminations.

The manufacturer of the implant said it was being replaced by one which would show up on x-rays and CAT scans. Training for medical professionals would also be improved in an effort to reduce the possibility of personal injury, product liability and medical negligence damages cases being pursued.