Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2000 15:28:54 -0800 (PST)

CNN Interactive

Justice sues to recover federal costs stemming from breast implant injuries

April 1, 2000

Web posted at: 12:06 a.m. EST (0506 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Justice Department has filed suit against six makers of silicone breast implants and the settlement fund they established to recover government expenses incurred in treating injuries caused by the implants.

The government suit was filed against Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare Corp, Bristol-Meyers-Squibb Co., 3-M Co, Union Carbide Chemical and Plastics Co., Union Carbide Corp. and the administrator of their settlement fund.

The suit, which was filed in federal court in Birmingham, Alabama, follows the breakdown of several years of negotiations between the government and the implant manufacturers over the government's claims.

The complaint does not seek a specified amount of damages, but the Justice Department statement says, "The government believes it is owed millions of dollars."

The suit also seeks to prevent disbursement of settlement funds to victims of government-funded breast implant surgeries and other treatments until the government gets the reimbursement it is due for costs from medicare and other federal health care programs.

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