Breast Implant Lawsuit Centers On A Sidewalk

A currently pending lawsuit in San Diego focuses on a breast implant rupture. However, the reason behind the rupture is definitely unusual.

The Former Mayor of San Diego Files Suit

The former mayor of San Diego, Roger Hedgecock, says the city of San Diego is to blame for a breast implant rupture suffered by his wife. He claims the city neglected to repair a sidewalk that was damaged by a tree, In turn, the tree that was down caused his wife to trip and fall in July 2015. Hedgecock says the fall resulted in her breast implants rupturing and leaking silicone into her bloodstream. The lawsuit also says that Cynthia Hedgecock had to undergo the removal of her implants followed by a “grueling procedure” to replace them and then weeks of recovery time.

The Hedgecocks claim the damages they suffered total over $25,000. They say that after Cynthia fell to the ground, she had to visit a medical clinic two weeks later because of chest pain and breast deformities. The clinic told her that both of her silicone implants had ruptured and the silicone was going into her bloodstream. The ruptured implants had to be removed and replaced and this was followed by a painful recovery period.

Can Falling Cause Breast Implants To Rupture?

When asked about the possibility of a person tripping and rupturing an implant, Alan Matarasso, M.D., told Fox News that both trauma and the age of the implants can lead to them being replaced. Dr. Matarasso said “There’s no standard frequency plastic surgeons recommend women replace their breast implants, and most of the time, a silicone rupture can occur before it’s physically noticeable.”  

Matarasso added that the best way to tell if a rupture has occurred is by getting a mammogram. Signs such as a change in the size or shape of the breast as well as pain, swelling or softening can be an indication that a rupture has occurred,

Setting a Date

According to a spokesperson for San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot, the case is expected to go to trial later this year. Lawyers in the case are meeting soon to discuss potential trial dates.

MA