Un avocat ?
Pour mémoire, le géant néerlandais Philips est mis en cause pour avoir mis sur le marché des appareils d’aide respiratoire dangereux pour la santé du fait de la mousse en polyuréthane utilisée pour insonoriser l’intérieur des machines – une double peine pour leurs utilisateurs puisque ces personnes souffrent d’apnée du sommeil ou d’insuffisance respiratoire !
Or, un certain nombre d’éléments tend à prouver que Philips connaissait le problème depuis au moins 2008 sans qu’à aucun moment l’entreprise n’ait jugé utile de prendre la moindre mesure correctrice !
Ainsi, suivant une enquête de la FDA (Food & Drug Administration – Agence du médicament américaine), Philips aurait reçu plus de 220 000 plaintes d’utilisateurs entre 2008 et 2017.
Autre élément accablant : le témoignage de Lee Lawler (directeur technique de la société Wm. T. Burnett qui est spécialiste aux États-Unis des mousses industrielles en polyuréthane) dans le cadre de son audition par la justice américaine le 1er avril 2022**. Lee Lawler explique ainsi avoir été personnellement sollicité entre 2016 et 2021 par des sous-traitants puis des représentants de Philips aux Etats-Unis au sujet de la dégradation suspecte de cette mousse. Il leur avait alors indiqué qu’il n’était pas étonnant que la mousse se dégrade au contact de la chaleur et de l’humidité ; et il leur avait conseillé l’utilisation d’une autre mousse isolante – celle utilisée par Philips n’étant pas adaptée à un usage médical…
En mars dernier, l’ANSM a saisi le procureur de la République au titre de l’article 40 du code de procédure pénale ce qui prouve que les agissements de Philips revêtent bel et bien un caractère délictueux.
Avec ce rapport d’expertise, c’est un nouveau revers pour l’industriel ! La toxicologue relève en effet que les études conduites par Philips et transmises aux autorités de santé minimisent constamment les effets toxiques des substances présentes dans ses appareils… Une position qui va à l’inverse de la littérature
Or, un certain nombre d’éléments tend à prouver que Philips connaissait le problème depuis au moins 2008 sans qu’à aucun moment l’entreprise n’ait jugé utile de prendre la moindre mesure correctrice !
Ainsi, suivant une enquête de la FDA (Food & Drug Administration – Agence du médicament américaine), Philips aurait reçu plus de 220 000 plaintes d’utilisateurs entre 2008 et 2017.
Autre élément accablant : le témoignage de Lee Lawler (directeur technique de la société Wm. T. Burnett qui est spécialiste aux États-Unis des mousses industrielles en polyuréthane) dans le cadre de son audition par la justice américaine le 1er avril 2022**. Lee Lawler explique ainsi avoir été personnellement sollicité entre 2016 et 2021 par des sous-traitants puis des représentants de Philips aux Etats-Unis au sujet de la dégradation suspecte de cette mousse. Il leur avait alors indiqué qu’il n’était pas étonnant que la mousse se dégrade au contact de la chaleur et de l’humidité ; et il leur avait conseillé l’utilisation d’une autre mousse isolante – celle utilisée par Philips n’étant pas adaptée à un usage médical…
En mars dernier, l’ANSM a saisi le procureur de la République au titre de l’article 40 du code de procédure pénale ce qui prouve que les agissements de Philips revêtent bel et bien un caractère délictueux.
Avec ce rapport d’expertise, c’est un nouveau revers pour l’industriel ! La toxicologue relève en effet que les études conduites par Philips et transmises aux autorités de santé minimisent constamment les effets toxiques des substances présentes dans ses appareils… Une position qui va à l’inverse de la littérature
scientifique : il est en effet acquis et ce depuis longtemps, que les composés organiques volatiles (COV) tout autant que les particules fines sont toxiques pour l’humain.
L’ensemble de ces agissements, associés aux négligences fautives des autorités de santé***, a permis à Philips de maintenir sur le marché, des années durant, des appareils dont il n’ignorait pas la dangerosité pour leurs utilisateurs ! Et d’ailleurs, certains de ces appareils sont encore aujourd’hui en circulation !
Pour Laurence HUC, « continuer à exposer des personnes croyant se soigner, à leur insu, à des COV et des particules de mousse, dont les dangers toxicologiques sont connus, revêt une situation de mise en danger d’autrui. » Et de poursuivre : « Les personnes traitées pour des apnées du sommeil souffrent d’un certain nombre de facteurs de comorbidité (…). Ainsi, les maintenir sous respirateurs défectueux ne fait qu’accroitre la probabilité de contracter un cancer, une autre maladie chronique, ou d’en accélérer la progression. » La toxicologue déplore par ailleurs d’importantes carences sur le plan de la gestion de l’alerte sanitaire.
Christian Trouchot, Représentant de la Fédération Française Des Associations & Amicales De Malades, Insuffisants Ou Handicapes Respiratoires (FFAAIR) et lui- même victime, contient mal sa colère : « Nous, patients, avons été traités comme de la ‘chair à fric’ – ni plus, ni moins ! Il est temps que Philips rende des comptes ».
Me Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE), avocat des victimes et fondateur de MyLeo,
« Philips a délibérément mis en danger la vie des utilisateurs en dissimulant des informations qui auraient permis aux autorités de santé de prendre la pleine mesure des problèmes et in fine, d’épargner des vies. »
La plateforme MyLeo rappelle que la procédure civile est close mais que la voie pénale reste ouverte. Tout utilisateur des appareils Philips a donc la possibilité de se joindre à la procédure qui rassemble d’ores et déjà plus de 215 plaignants. L’union fait la force !
* Directrice de recherche chez INRAE dans le laboratoire interdisciplinaire Sciences Innovations et Sociétés (LISIS-INRAE) depuis le 1er mai 2022, Laurence Huc conduit des recherches en Sciences and Technology studies. Elle s’est par ailleurs mise à disposition à l’Inserm au sein du laboratoire IRSET (Institut en recherche, Santé, Environnement et Travail) depuis le 1er septembre 2022. Ses travaux de recherche portent sur l’étude de l’impact de contaminants chimiques sur la survenue des maladies chroniques et plus particulièrement le cancer. Laurence Huc n’a aucun lien d’intérêt avec la plateforme MyLeo qui a financé cette expertise et n’est pas partie, directement ou indirectement, aux affaires judiciaires portées par cette dernière.
** Outre atlantique, l’industriel est déjà poursuivi en justice par des usagers atteints de cancer qui l’accusent d’être responsables de leur maladie. D’autres procédures sont par ailleurs en cours en Suisse, en Autriche, et en Italie.
*** On peut notamment déplorer le fait qu’à aucun moment l’ANSM (l’Agence du médicament) n’ait diligenté d’expertise indépendante pour confirmer ou infirmer les données toxicologiques fournies par Philips.
Press Release
These actions, compounded by the apparent disregard of the health authorities, have enabled Philips to keep hazardous devices on the market for years, fully knowing their potential danger to users! Astonishingly, some of these devices remain in use to this day!
According to Laurence Huc, "continuing to expose individuals who believe they are receiving treatment, without their awareness, to VOCs and foam particles, known for their toxicological risks, is tantamount to endangering others". She added, "Patients undergoing treatment for sleep apnea often have multiple comorbidities... Therefore, leaving them on defective respirators only elevates the likelihood of developing cancer or other chronic diseases, or accelerating their progression. The toxicologist also expresses concern over major shortcomings in health alert management.
Christian Trouchot, representative of the Fédération Française Des Associations & Amicales De Malades, Insuffisants Ou Handicapes Respiratoires (FFAAIR) and a victim himself, struggles to hold back his frustration: "We, as patients, were treated like mere 'cash cows'. It's high time Philips was held accountable".
The MyLeo platform points out that subscription to the civil proceedings are closed, however, the criminal proceedings remains open. Hence, any user of Philips devices in question is free to join the ongoing criminal proceedings, which have already attracted over 215 complainants. Strength in unity!
* Laurence Huc has served as the Director of Research at INRAE's interdisciplinary Science, Innovation and Society Laboratory (LISIS-INRAE) since May 2022. She has also been assigned to Inserm in the IRSET (Institute for Research, Health, Environment and Work) laboratory since September 2022. Her research focuses on the impact of chemical contaminants on the development of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. Laurence Huc has no affiliation with the MyLeo platform, which funded this expertise, and is not directly or indirectly engaged in any legal proceedings initiated in this matter.
** In the United States, the manufacturer is already facing lawsuits from cancer patients alleging it to be responsible for their disease. Other proceedings are also in progress in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy..
*** It is particularly regrettable that the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) never commissioned an independent expert report to confirm or refute the toxicological data provided by Philips.
June 2021: Triggered by alerts from American patients, Philips announces a global recall of over 5 million respirators used by individuals with sleep apnea or respiratory deficiency. At the time, the manufacturer admits to issues with the polyurethane foam used for soundproofing in these devices and pledges to replace them. ANSM estimates that 370,000 patients are affected in France.
February 2022: ANSM notes minimal progress in the replacement plan announced by the manufacturer. By February 4, 2022, Philips had replaced merely 7% of the defective devices. Consequently, ANSM implements a health policy decision to expedite the replacement of defective devices, requiring the manufacturer to replace a minimum of 75% of respirators by 30 June 2022, and 100% by the end of 2022. Despite this, several thousand French patients are still waiting for their respirators to be replaced!
20 June 2022: The Public Health Unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office initiates a preliminary investigation following complaints from 8 Philips ventilator users. A dozen other complaints have been filed regionally. The investigation is launched for endangering the lives of others, aggravated deception, and administering harmful substances.
31 March 2023: ANSM issues another formal notice to Philips, demanding immediate mobilisation of all available resources to replace the remaining defective devices. Concurrently, ANSM refers the matter to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
12 June 2023: Civil proceedings are launched by 1,341 claimants federated via MyLeo, seeking compensation for non-material damages tied to the lack of information provision and anxiety-related harm. The claimants are represented by Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE).
13 June 2023: Laurence Huc delivers her expert report titled "Analysis of Toxicological Data Relating to Philips Respirators".
16 June 2023: A criminal complaint is lodged by more than 200 complainants, as well as by the FFAAIR and the FNATH (association for people with life-threatening injuries) with the Public Health Unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office for endangering the lives of others, aggravated deception and administration of harmful substances. Represented by Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE), the claimants have also joined forces via the MyLeo platform.
Respiratorgate action
‘Business as usual': Philips Prioritizes Profits Over User Health, Further Evidence Revealed.
‘Business as usual': Philips Prioritizes Profits Over User Health, Further Evidence Revealed.
Paris, 16 June 2023. The collective action platform, MyLeo, bringing together victims of the scandal now dubbed "Respiratorgate", revealed that their lawyer, Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE), has filed a civil lawsuit against Philips on Monday, followed by a criminal complaint on Thursday. Amid these developments, another significant event unfolded: Renowned toxicologist Laurence Huc, commissioned by MyLeo, delivered her expert report concerning the toxicological information tied to Philips' respirators. The report's conclusions are undeniable: they not only verify the allegations against Philips, concerning the respirators' toxicity, but more importantly, they underscore the criminality of the company's conduct throughout this controversy.
In retrospect, Philips, the Dutch multinational, stands accused of distributing hazardous health devices, specifically respirators, due to the use of polyurethane foam for sound insulation within the devices. This is a double jeopardy for users dealing with sleep apnea or respiratory deficiency!
Emerging evidence hints that Philips was likely aware of this issue as far back as 2008, yet, the corporation didn't deem it necessary to undertake any corrective measures!
Per an investigation conducted by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), Philips received in excess of 220,000 user complaints between 2008 and 2017.
Additional evidence is the statement provided by Lee Lawler (Technical Director at Wm. T. Burnett, a U.S. firm specialising in polyurethane industrial foams) during a hearing on 1st April 2022. Mr Lawler noted that he had been personally contacted between 2016 and 2021 by subcontractors and Philips' representatives in the US concerning the suspicious deterioration of the foam. He indicated that the foam's degradation in the presence of heat and humidity was not surprising and advised them to utilise a different insulating foam, as the one employed by Philips was unsuitable for medical use.
Last March, the ANSM reported the issue to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, thereby corroborating the criminal nature of Philips' actions.
Emerging evidence hints that Philips was likely aware of this issue as far back as 2008, yet, the corporation didn't deem it necessary to undertake any corrective measures!
Per an investigation conducted by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), Philips received in excess of 220,000 user complaints between 2008 and 2017.
Additional evidence is the statement provided by Lee Lawler (Technical Director at Wm. T. Burnett, a U.S. firm specialising in polyurethane industrial foams) during a hearing on 1st April 2022. Mr Lawler noted that he had been personally contacted between 2016 and 2021 by subcontractors and Philips' representatives in the US concerning the suspicious deterioration of the foam. He indicated that the foam's degradation in the presence of heat and humidity was not surprising and advised them to utilise a different insulating foam, as the one employed by Philips was unsuitable for medical use.
Last March, the ANSM reported the issue to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, thereby corroborating the criminal nature of Philips' actions.
This expert report adds to the company's growing list of woes! The toxicologist points out that the studies conducted by Philips and subsequently shared with health authorities consistently downplay the toxic impacts of the substances found in their devices... This standpoint contradicts scientific consensus, which acknowledges the toxicity of both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particles to human health.
These actions, compounded by the apparent disregard of the health authorities, have enabled Philips to keep hazardous devices on the market for years, fully knowing their potential danger to users! Astonishingly, some of these devices remain in use to this day!
According to Laurence Huc, "continuing to expose individuals who believe they are receiving treatment, without their awareness, to VOCs and foam particles, known for their toxicological risks, is tantamount to endangering others". She added, "Patients undergoing treatment for sleep apnea often have multiple comorbidities... Therefore, leaving them on defective respirators only elevates the likelihood of developing cancer or other chronic diseases, or accelerating their progression. The toxicologist also expresses concern over major shortcomings in health alert management.
Christian Trouchot, representative of the Fédération Française Des Associations & Amicales De Malades, Insuffisants Ou Handicapes Respiratoires (FFAAIR) and a victim himself, struggles to hold back his frustration: "We, as patients, were treated like mere 'cash cows'. It's high time Philips was held accountable".
Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE), the lawyer representing the victims and the founder of MyLeo, "Philips deliberately put users' lives at risk by withholding information that would have enabled the health authorities to assess the full extent of the problems and, ultimately, to save lives".
The MyLeo platform points out that subscription to the civil proceedings are closed, however, the criminal proceedings remains open. Hence, any user of Philips devices in question is free to join the ongoing criminal proceedings, which have already attracted over 215 complainants. Strength in unity!
* Laurence Huc has served as the Director of Research at INRAE's interdisciplinary Science, Innovation and Society Laboratory (LISIS-INRAE) since May 2022. She has also been assigned to Inserm in the IRSET (Institute for Research, Health, Environment and Work) laboratory since September 2022. Her research focuses on the impact of chemical contaminants on the development of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. Laurence Huc has no affiliation with the MyLeo platform, which funded this expertise, and is not directly or indirectly engaged in any legal proceedings initiated in this matter.
** In the United States, the manufacturer is already facing lawsuits from cancer patients alleging it to be responsible for their disease. Other proceedings are also in progress in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy..
*** It is particularly regrettable that the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) never commissioned an independent expert report to confirm or refute the toxicological data provided by Philips.
Key dates in the Respiratorgate scandal:
June 2021: Triggered by alerts from American patients, Philips announces a global recall of over 5 million respirators used by individuals with sleep apnea or respiratory deficiency. At the time, the manufacturer admits to issues with the polyurethane foam used for soundproofing in these devices and pledges to replace them. ANSM estimates that 370,000 patients are affected in France.
February 2022: ANSM notes minimal progress in the replacement plan announced by the manufacturer. By February 4, 2022, Philips had replaced merely 7% of the defective devices. Consequently, ANSM implements a health policy decision to expedite the replacement of defective devices, requiring the manufacturer to replace a minimum of 75% of respirators by 30 June 2022, and 100% by the end of 2022. Despite this, several thousand French patients are still waiting for their respirators to be replaced!
20 June 2022: The Public Health Unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office initiates a preliminary investigation following complaints from 8 Philips ventilator users. A dozen other complaints have been filed regionally. The investigation is launched for endangering the lives of others, aggravated deception, and administering harmful substances.
31 March 2023: ANSM issues another formal notice to Philips, demanding immediate mobilisation of all available resources to replace the remaining defective devices. Concurrently, ANSM refers the matter to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
12 June 2023: Civil proceedings are launched by 1,341 claimants federated via MyLeo, seeking compensation for non-material damages tied to the lack of information provision and anxiety-related harm. The claimants are represented by Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE).
13 June 2023: Laurence Huc delivers her expert report titled "Analysis of Toxicological Data Relating to Philips Respirators".
16 June 2023: A criminal complaint is lodged by more than 200 complainants, as well as by the FFAAIR and the FNATH (association for people with life-threatening injuries) with the Public Health Unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office for endangering the lives of others, aggravated deception and administration of harmful substances. Represented by Christophe Lèguevaques (CLE), the claimants have also joined forces via the MyLeo platform.
About MyLeo
MyLeo, succeeding MySMARTcab, is a collective action platform has its roots in the practice of Me Lèguevaques (CLE), a lawyer at the Paris Bar.
It operates under a straightforward motto: "unity is strength." Its mission is to facilitate access to justice for everyone, seeking to restore the balance of power between citizens, consumers, and industrialists, along with other entities who are tempted to abuse their power. The platform is active in a number of areas : health (such as the Levothyrox scandal and the Philips defective respirator issue), environmental health (like the Chlordecone case), consumer affairs (like the Renault Motorgate), social/societal matters (including UBER delivery companies and VTCs), and finance/investment (with instances like Swoon and H2O cases).
MyLeo aspires to be an instrument for rallying against all forms of injustice, providing lawyers with the means to take action and citizens with the ability to be heard and/or respected.
The platform's ambition is to be an instrument for mobilising against all forms of injustice by offering lawyers the means to act, and citizens the means to be heard and/or respected.
It operates under a straightforward motto: "unity is strength." Its mission is to facilitate access to justice for everyone, seeking to restore the balance of power between citizens, consumers, and industrialists, along with other entities who are tempted to abuse their power. The platform is active in a number of areas : health (such as the Levothyrox scandal and the Philips defective respirator issue), environmental health (like the Chlordecone case), consumer affairs (like the Renault Motorgate), social/societal matters (including UBER delivery companies and VTCs), and finance/investment (with instances like Swoon and H2O cases).
MyLeo aspires to be an instrument for rallying against all forms of injustice, providing lawyers with the means to take action and citizens with the ability to be heard and/or respected.
The platform's ambition is to be an instrument for mobilising against all forms of injustice by offering lawyers the means to act, and citizens the means to be heard and/or respected.
