September 27, 1996
(Health)

The following is being distributed at the request Dow Corning Canada Inc.:

Deadline set for Dow Corning Corporation bankruptcy claims

Dow Corning Corporation today launched its court-approved notification program to alert all potential implant claimants of the company living outside the United States of their need to file a claim by February 14, 1997. Non-implant claimants, in addition to all claimants living in the United States, have only until January 15, 1997, to file their claims.

In Canada, the notification program will be targeting both Canadian nationals as well as any foreign nationals currently residing in Canada who may have the right to file a claim.

According to Judge Arthur J. Spector - the bankruptcy judge presiding over the Dow Corning Corporation Bankruptcy - all individuals or companies who believe that they have a claim against Dow Corning, must file a Proof of Claim Form to be received by the court-appointed docketing agent by the applicable deadline date. If the deadline is missed, an individual may be forever barred from asserting claims against the company. Filing a claim, however, does not necessarily entitle a claimant to compensation.

In order to qualify for the February 14, 1997, filing deadline, potential foreign implant claimants must have continuously maintained their residences outside of the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico, during the period from September 15, 1996, through November 15, 1996.

The requirement to file a claim applies to individuals or entities who may have a current or future claim against Dow Corning, including claims caused by the use of long-term metal, silicone, or silicone- containing implantable devices, silicone raw materials and other materials manufactured or sold by Dow Corning or Dow Corning Wright Corporation. Individuals with breast implants and other types of implants, such as hip, knee, chin, joint, toe, nasal, penile, testicular, tissue expanders, TMJ/corrective surgery/Silastic sheeting, materials used in contraceptive implants or injected silicone fluids, are covered by the notice program.

• The requirement to file claims also applies to:
• Participants in other breast implant litigation, such as the Multi-District Litigation Global Settlement in Alabama, or those who opted out of that settlement if they have claims against Dow Corning;
• Individuals asserting claims against Dow Corning arising from implant raw materials supplied by Dow Corning and used in implants manufactured by other companies;
• Individuals with present medical conditions that they believe have been caused by the company's products;
• Individuals who may not have any current symptoms but who wish to protect their right to seek compensation for a future claim;
• Spouses, children (born and unborn), estates and personal representatives of persons with implants, who have claims against Dow Corning;
• Health care providers, health facilities and all persons or entities who have claims for contribution, indemnification, loss of reputation or profit or any other basis arising from Dow Corning implant products; and
• Trade creditors, vendors and other commercial creditors of the company.

The notification program will include national advertising in 15 countries and publicity efforts in over 30 countries worldwide, in addition to direct mailings to all known potential claimants. The 15 countries where national advertising will occur are the following: Canada, United States, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

"Anyone who thinks they may have a claim against Dow Corning must act now," emphasized Barie Carmichael, vice-president of Dow Corning Corporation. "Once the bar date has passed, individuals will no longer be entitled to compensation for any claims now existing or ever arising in the future involving breast or other implants."

Potential claimants in Canada and the United States who wish to request an information package should call 1-800-997-1700 or write to: Dow Corning Corporation Claims Information Center, P. O. Box 7500, Midland, MI 48641-7500, U.S.A. Potential claimants living outside Canada and the United States can call 1-(402)-445-9273 (which is a toll call) or write to: Foreign Claims Information Center, P. O. Box 7500, Midland, MI 48641-7500. This information is also available on the Internet at //www.implantclaims.com

Contact: John W. Davis, Operations Manager, Dow Corning Canada, (905) 858-6064.