Daikon compo. likely for about 100 in N.Z.’

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 22

Daikon compo. likely for about 100 in N.Z.’

PA Auckland About 100 New Zealand women can expect compensation for injuries caused by using the Daikon Shield intra-uterine contraceptive device, according to an American lawyer, Mr Mike Pretl, on Monday. The number might rise as lawyers sifted through the remaining 75 applications for compensation lodged so far by New Zealand women, he said. Mr Pretl is a member of the Daikon Claimants* Committee which protects the interests of about 30,000 shield victims worldwide. He said he hoped all claims would be successful.

“We have a very vigor-

ous screening process and virtually all the cases we approve have been successful,” Mr Pretl said. “The only significant difference about New Zealand cases is that we have found it much more difficult to get medical records from doctors.” About half the New Zealand women had filed claims after becoming infertile, having a hysterectomy, or undergoing other serious surgery. Other injuries caused by the shield, which was withdrawn from the New Zealand market in 1975, included septic abortion and serious pelvic inflammatory disease. There were other cases that did not present a serious medical crisis, he said, but caused tremendous problems in the woman’s personal life. “The marriage may have split up,” Mr Pretl said, “because the woman has either emotional or sexual problems as a result of injuries caused by the device.” Mr Pretl will speak to some of the 200 women he represents during his seven-day New Zealand visit. He plans to offer advice, personal support and up-to-date information about the claims. He said the American company which made the

Daikon Shield, A. H. Robins, had filed for time to reorganise its finances so that it could decide how it would reach a settlement on the many claims. Mr Pretl said he expected the company to start paying claims next year.

“We have begun negotiations with A. H. Robins and we .are very happy with the way things are going,” Mr Pretl said.

New Zealand women made up the biggest group, in proportion to population, outside the United States to file claims for injuries suffered from the Daikon Shield, Mr Pretl said. This, he said, resulted from press coverage of the issue and work done by Fertility Action, the Auckland-based group hosting Mr Pretl’s visit. Mr Pretl and Mr Jerry O’Neill, another American lawyer, will visit Christchurch to talk to Christchurch women on Thursday evening.