Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Personal Injury Solicitors

Thalidomide victims launch legal action for compensation (6 June 2014)

Date: 06/06/2014
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Thalidomide victims launch legal action for compensation

Eight thalidomide victims are to take legal action against drugs manufacturer Grunenthal, 50 years after the thalidomide scandal.

The drug was used in the 1950s to treat morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, women who used thalidomide to control their nausea symptoms began to give birth to babies with serious physical birth defects – mainly characterised by shortened arms or legs or missing limbs.

Researchers have found that the effects of thalidomide may be passed on through the generations, with the children and grandchildren of thalidomide victims potentially having children with the same birth defects.

Animal studies in the 1990s show that thalidomide birth defects could jump the generation barrier – the first drug to be found to do this. The Australian doctor who first linked birth defects to thalidomide – Dr William McBride – and his colleague Dr Peter Huang discovered that thalidomide binds to the DNA in animals and as a result, interferes with cell replication.

In 2012, German manufacturer Grunenthal issued a public apology to thalidomide victims, which they rejected – with some thalidomide survivors saying they did not believe the apology was “sincere”.

More than 10,000 babies were affected by thalidomide – and there are around 460 survivors in the UK.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Medical Negligence

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise on making a no win no fee claim for injuries sustained as a result of medical negligence, including prescribing errors, wrong treatment or poor medical care.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Medical Negligence Claims, contact Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


For all Personal Injury related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.