OTHER NEWS - Dec. 29, 1995

Judge Approves Silicone Breast Implant Settlement Plan: Under the settlement, which the industry supports, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. and Baxter International Inc. will pay $10,000 to $250,000 to women with implants, depending upon their medical condition. The women are free to reject the plan and pursue individual lawsuits against the companies. The basic terms of the settlement were approved in October by U.S. District Judge Samuel Pointer in Birmingham, Ala. Pointer gave his final approval to the plan last week. Notices will be mailed to more than 400,000 implant recipients beginning Jan. 7, said a source familiar with the plan. The settlement is opposed by most plaintiffs’ attorneys, who say it is only a fraction of the amount implant makers have been paying in out-of-court settlements.