Do I Qualify for the Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit?

Elmiron is a prescription medication the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat interstitial cystitis (IC). Upon its initial approval in 1996, no concerns arose about the long-term vision damage that could result from using it. However, recent studies have linked prolonged use of the drug to serious side effects, including severe and sometimes total vision loss.

If you have been taking Elmiron for an extended period and are experiencing vision loss or other eye problems, you may qualify for the Elmiron vision loss lawsuit. Before joining the lawsuit, you will want a mass tort attorney who can build your case. They can review information about your symptoms and determine if you qualify for the Elmiron vision loss lawsuit. If they decide that you do, they can represent you and fight for your compensation.

Elmiron Long-Term Side Effects

Using Elmiron can lead to various common side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. While these side effects do not typically raise concern, there have been recent studies linking Elmiron to long-term side effects that should receive immediate treatment.

If you feel that your vision is worsening and you have been taking Elmiron for an extended period, generally defined as two years or longer, then you should inform your eye doctor right away.

Some of the long-term side effects that Elmiron can cause to your vision include:

Permanent blurred vision
Maculopathy
Loss of central vision
Severe vision loss

Maculopathy

Maculopathy affects the back of the retina and impacts your ability to see details. If you are suffering from maculopathy, you may have difficulty reading, recognizing faces, and making out the finer details of objects. While maculopathy is a progressive disease with no cure, there are treatments that can slow down the degradation of the macula. If you find you are suddenly having a hard time seeing details, let your eye doctor know immediately.

Reporting Elmiron Side Effects

Getting immediate medical help for the side effects you’re having while using Elmiron can determine if the medication is causing them or if something else is. While the side effects may seem like they are related only to your vision, you should still have your primary care doctor check to make sure there isn’t an underlying problem causing your vision loss.

Health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can cause Elmiron’s side effects, too. Your doctor will want to rule out these other health issues before deciding how Elmiron affects you.

When you meet with your health care provider, bring information related to recent studies about Elmiron and its link to vision loss to their attention. If they determine your vision loss could be associated with Elmiron, you should take care of your medical needs and then seek a law firm that can fight for you.

Filing an Elmiron Lawsuit for Eye Damage

To be eligible to file an Elmiron lawsuit for eye damage, you generally must have been prescribed Elmiron and taken it daily for six months or longer, or you must have been diagnosed with an eye problem within one year of ceasing to take the drug. Exceptions can always be made, but generally, Elmiron does not start to show ill effects until it has been used over time.

As you prepare to file your lawsuit, you will first want to seek an attorney with mass tort case experience. Not all cases are alike, and neither are all attorneys. Do your research and pick the best attorney for your situation. The attorneys in our network offer free consultations that allow you to learn more about their services and decide if they are a good fit for you and your case.

An Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit Lawyer Can Determine What Your Case Is Worth

A mass tort attorney handling your Elmiron vision loss lawsuit can determine what damages you could recover. You could be eligible for compensation that can help you pay your medical bills and replace the income you lost from not working.

You could also receive financial awards for your pain and suffering and reduced quality of life, which can be complex to establish. Some of these damages will be harder to define than others, but if your life has been negatively impacted by taking the drug, then you should be compensated.

Your attorney will help you form your lawsuit by reviewing your medical records, your medical bills, and any other pertinent information. If your Elmiron experience is similar to that of other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, you can proceed with filing your action.

Questions Elmiron Lawyers May Ask You

When you discuss your experience with an Elmiron lawyer, they will ask you various questions to determine if you are a good fit for the lawsuit. Some of the most common questions you will be asked include:

How long have you been taking Elmiron?
When did your vision problems begin?
Have you sought treatment from an eye care professional?
Are you taking any other medications?
What symptoms are you exhibiting?
Do you have a family history of vision loss?

Elmiron is generally taken over time because of the nature of IC, the condition the medication treats. Some patients may take the drug for a few months, while others will take it for years. How long you take Elmiron plays a factor in how much vision damage it can cause. If your vision loss occurs after taking Elmiron for a few weeks or months, there may be another reason you have vision problems.

Establishing When Your Elmiron-Related Vision Problems Started Is Important

Additionally, if your vision problems began before taking Elmiron, then the cause of your vision loss is likely not Elmiron. There is always the chance that Elmiron caused a different vision loss problem than the one you were previously experiencing, but you must prove that before you can receive compensation. Knowing exactly when your vision issues began will help your attorney determine if Elmiron is responsible for your problems.

It is also important to understand your family history and any other health problems you have. This will help your attorney and health care provider explore whether another disease or medication could be the cause of your vision loss. Many health problems produce eye damage similar to the kind Elmiron can cause. These health concerns will need to be ruled out before bringing your lawsuit forward.

Maculopathy and its side effects can be linked to aging. Before plaintiffs brought lawsuits against Elmiron’s manufacturers, doctors thought aging was causing their patients’ vision problems. With the answers to the questions above, your attorney will be better suited to represent you and fight for the financial award you deserve.

Status of Lawsuits

In April 2022, it was announced that Elmiron faced at least 803 product liability lawsuits. It also was announced that 712 of these suits were in the federal Elmiron lawsuit, while 91 were for a suit pending in a New Jersey state court.

Bellwether trials have been picked and scheduled numerous times, but they have been rescheduled every time the date nears. Currently, there is no definitive date on when the trials will begin. The last rescheduled date was for January 2023, but that date is very much up in the air.

A “Science Day” has been established for the case, which intends to teach the presiding judge about Elmiron’s adverse effects. This date will have statements from expert witnesses and help the court determine what types of settlements should be reached on the plaintiffs’ behalf. “Science Day,” which had been rescheduled to March 23, 2022, was rescheduled again from that date. No new date has been set as of this writing.

Plaintiffs Still Have Time to Join the Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit

Since the case is still open, there is time for you to file your lawsuit against the Elmiron drug manufacturers. How much longer you have to complete this process is yet to be determined, but you should join as quickly as possible. With dates being rescheduled and hundreds of lawsuits already presented, delaying may affect your opportunity to recover compensation.

Elmiron Settlement Amounts

While the exact amount that will be recovered in the Elmiron settlement is unknown, mass tort case history shows that it could be quite a lot of money. How much you could recover will depend on a few factors, including how much of your vision you have lost, if there are other health issues that the drug caused, your age, and your general day-to-day life.

If you are the sole provider for your family but can’t work and function due to Elmiron’s long-term side effects, you may be entitled to more compensation than someone who suffers 20% vision loss and cannot report lost income.

Depending on your situation and based on similar mass tort lawsuits of the past, financial recovery could range from tens of thousands to more than $1 million. Joining a mass tort lawsuit gives more flexibility in the amount you recover since every plaintiff is treated as an individual. Once the bellwether trials have been completed, then it will be easier for lawyers from both sides to determine how much Elmiron settlements should be worth.

How Much Do Elmiron Lawsuit Lawyers Cost?

How much you pay for an Elmiron lawsuit lawyer depends on the law firm you choose. While some law firms will ask for money up front, others won’t charge anything until the lawsuit is settled. The best thing you can do is research your options and hire a lawyer who can work diligently on your behalf to recover your award. It helps if the lawyer has experience handling harmful drug lawsuits and mass tort cases.

Many personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations and services that will not cost you any money unless you receive a settlement or court-ordered award. At that time, the lawyer will receive a percentage of your settlement. This percentage should be determined before the lawyer works on your case. Make sure all these discussions take place so that you know what legal representation will cost you.

Choosing an Elmiron Lawyer

When it comes time to hire the right lawyer for you, various factors should influence your decision. You will want to pick a law firm that will represent you as an individual and fight for your fair compensation from the start. Choosing a lawyer with mass tort lawsuit experience and a history of taking on drug manufacturers is integral to ensuring you present your best compensation case.

Many law firms can provide the services that you seek, which is why it is so important to research all your options. Our network of mass tort lawyers can help you form and file your Elmiron lawsuit. They can guide you through the process, giving your situation the attention that it deserves. They also can review your medical history and consult with various professionals before bringing forth your lawsuit. If the time comes to go to trial, they are ready to represent you.

Call Today for Legal Counsel About an Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit

If you think Elmiron damaged your vision, you can seek help from legal professionals who understand the mass tort process and can fight for your full recovery. You can speak with an attorney in our network of lawyers to learn if you qualify for the Elmiron vision loss lawsuit. This is the time to get answers to your questions and concerns. Fill out the contact form for help

with your Elmiron case.