Case Info
Olympus Surgical Scope Infection Lawsuits
Surgical scope-maker Olympus may be facing numerous lawsuits regarding serious infections developing after patients have undergone certain medical procedures using an Olympus endoscope or duodenoscope. These surgical instruments are small cameras designed as part of a flexible tube which can look into the gastrointestinal system by inserting the scope down the throat or into the colon.
You may qualify if:
- You (or a loved one) had a qualifying procedure using an Olympus scope;
- The procedure occurred in or after 2015;
- Developed a serious infection (including sepsis, organ failure, death, or tuberculosis) within 30 days of the scope procedureor
- Were diagnosed with HIV following a scope procedure.
Qualifying procedures may include:
- Endoscopy (including upper endoscopy/gastroscopy);
- Enteroscopy;
- Colonoscopy; and
- Bronchoscopy.
Numerous warnings have been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2015, also involving hundreds of injuries and at least one death associated with Olympus scope infections.
What’s the issue?
Manufacturers of Olympus reusable endoscopes and duodenscopes may have created devices which could not be fully sterilized between uses even when proper sterilization procedures are followed by hospitals and surgical centers.
The Olympus reusable scopes contain internal channels and mechanical components which may trap bacteria and microorganisms, remaining in the device to be transferred to the next patient. This may result in serious infection in patients who have undergone a scope procedure with an Olympus device.
Reported complications may include:
- Bloodborne infections including HIV and tuberculosis
- Sepsis
- Organ failure
- Extended hospitalization
- Death
People or loved ones of those who underwent a scope procedure using an Olympus scope instrument after 2015 and developed a serious infection, sepsis or other related injury within 30 days may be eligible for compensation.
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