Sides Rest In Implant Suit Closing Arguments Planned On Silicone Breast Implants

Even with a few witnesses still on their list, lawyers for Dow Chemical Co. rested their case Monday in the nation’s first class-action lawsuit to go to trial over claims that silicone breast implants made women sick.

“We walked in this morning and everybody decided to rest. We chose to call no rebuttal witnesses,” said Richard Laminack, an attorney for 1,800 women who claim Dow failed to properly test silicone for use in humans and concealed its dangers.

Dow denies the allegations, saying it never made silicone, tested it for use in humans, or offered opinions on its safety. Dow Chemical owns half of Dow Corning Corp., once a leading implant maker.

The trial began in March, and attorneys for the women rested their case in early May.

District Judge Yada Magee scheduled closing arguments Thursday.