Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit Investigation for Patients Harmed by Infections

Weitz & Luxenberg is investigating and pursuing Olympus endoscope lawsuit claims on behalf of patients harmed by reusable Olympus medical scopes manufactured by Olympus Medical Systems Corporation. We are accepting clients who required hospitalization shortly after undergoing an endoscopic procedure that led to a severe infection or even death. 

Individuals filing an Olympus endoscope lawsuit typically allege they developed severe infections after undergoing a routine medical procedure involving a contaminated reusable scope. Many patients required hospitalization, additional medical treatment, or suffered life-threatening complications.

Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit Claims Involve Serious Infections

Thousands of patients nationwide were exposed to contaminated endoscopes, raising concerns about whether reusable devices can be adequately cleaned between procedures. “These cases are particularly alarming because our clients underwent routine diagnostic procedures. No incisions were made. Yet our clients developed severe infections requiring hospitalization,” says Ellen Relkin, partner and chair of W&L’s Drug and Medical Device Litigation practice area. 

“Patients should be able to trust the medical equipment used for these procedures is safe. In the case of Olympus scopes, the manufacturer needs to develop more rigorous safety protocols ensuring the complete repurposing and cleaning of their devices. When companies fail to warn hospitals sufficiently about potential dangers, patients are severely harmed. This is unacceptable,” Ms. Relkin continues.

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one required hospitalization following an endoscopic procedure. Many people suffered a severe infection due to a contaminated Olympus scope. We encourage you to reach out to us at (917) LAWYERS. We can help you determine if you should seek compensation for your injuries.

Contaminated Endoscopes Have Been Linked to Severe Infections & Hospitalization

In the case of Olympus scopes, hospitals have reported that even though they have followed the manufacturers protocols fully in cleaning these devices, the devices may harbor residual material. Therein lies the potential danger. 

These flexible scopes contain complex internal features and materials that make it difficult to fully clean and disinfect through reprocessing. The scopes can potentially transmit bacteria between patients even when the manufacturer’s standard protocols are followed.

Following a routine gastrointestinal procedure, patients quickly may develop a severe infection, often within just weeks. In worst-case scenarios, patients can develop sepsis, a superbug, HIV, or tuberculosis. Some patients have even died due to their infections.

Diagnostic Endoscopes May Put Patients at Risk of Serious Infection

Scopes are used for all kinds of diagnostic procedures. Types include gastroscopes, duodenoscope, colonoscopes, enteroscopes, and bronchoscopes. The device doctors use depends on the part of the body they want to examine. All of these are types of endoscopes. 

Endoscopes are flexible tubes that can be maneuvered through a person’s insides. A light and small lens let doctors look at a patient’s insides without ever having to make an incision. 

“In the case of Olympus scopes, we are particularly concerned about clients who are coming forward with serious health issues. These clients underwent routine gastrointestinal procedures like a colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). They developed severe infections and required hospitalization due to contaminated endoscopes. This is entirely preventable if the manufacturer provides clear and comprehensive cleaning protocols and appropriate warnings,” insists attorney Brendan McDonough, who trained as a biomedical engineer.

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Olympic Medical Systems

In the last few years, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) issued two warning letters to Olympus Medical Systems Corporation and one of its subsidiaries, Aizu Olympus Co, Ltd., for its endoscopes. The FDA had conducted facility inspections. ⁽¹⁾

The warning letters indicate violations regarding medical device reporting, as well as requirements and regulations for endoscopes. In particular, the FDA pointed out concerns with surgical and gastrointestinal endoscopes and certain types of endoscope reprocessors. ⁽²⁾

These endoscopes require “high-level disinfection or sterilization” before they can be reused. Types include duodenoscopes, urological endoscopes, and bronchoscopes. ⁽³⁾

During several inspections, CDRH concluded that “Olympus did not meet requirements to assure the quality and performance of the devices such as adequate testing and documentation of the device assembly process.” CDRH has continued to do its best to “ensure that Olympus fully addresses the violations described in the warning letters.” ⁽⁴⁾

How Weitz & Luxenberg Helps Patients Pursuing an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit

If you required hospitalization from a severe infection or sepsis after undergoing a routine endoscopy, or a relative died after such a procedure, you may qualify to pursue an Olympus endoscope lawsuit. We encourage you to contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation. Attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg are actively evaluating Olympus endoscope lawsuit claims involving severe infections, sepsis, hospitalization, and wrongful death.

Weitz & Luxenberg is recognized nationally as a leader when it comes to the field of defective medical device litigation. Our attorneys have won billions of dollars for our clients.

We can help you understand the legal options available to you. You can reach us at (917) LAWYERS or complete the form on this page. One of our representatives can get in touch with you shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some answers to questions may have about this litigation.

Why Are Patients Filing Olympus Endoscope Lawsuits?

Patients are filing Olympus endoscope lawsuits because they underwent a routine endoscopic procedure and developed a life-threatening infection. The endoscope used for their procedure had not been thoroughly cleaned. Debris left on the scope got passed on to the patient, making them sick.

What Injuries Are Being Investigated in Olympus Endoscope Lawsuits?

W&L is investigating cases of patients who developed a severe infection and required hospitalization, or even died after a medical procedure with an endoscope. Patients may have developed sepsis, HIV, a superbug, or tuberculosis.

How Soon Do Symptoms Appear After Exposure to a Contaminated Endoscope?

Patients who are infected tend to develop symptoms quickly. Typically, they soon required hospitalization. In some cases, patients have started developing symptoms on the same day they underwent their routine endoscopic procedure.

Who May Qualify for an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit?

Anyone who underwent a routine endoscopic procedure and developed a severe infection due to a contaminated Olympus endoscope. You must have been hospitalized shortly after the procedure to qualify for an Olympus endoscope lawsuit. We will need to legally show that your infection was directly linked to that endoscopic procedure and contaminated scope.