Elmiron Lawsuit

If you have been using the oral drug Elmiron to treat conditions associated with interstitial cystitis (IC) and are starting to experience vision problems, you may be wondering, What is the lawsuit against Elmiron? While the drug has shown success in treating issues related to IC, recent studies have suggested that the drug could be linked to permanent vision impairment. If you are experiencing vision loss, then you should contact a vision specialist right away—and learn more about your legal options.

Even if you or your doctor are still unsure whether your symptoms are related to Elmiron, you may want to contact an attorney’s team. A lawyer with experience handling these lawsuits can help you determine if your damages were caused by the drug. A law firm can also tell you more about the intricacies of the lawsuit and help you determine if you are eligible to join the mass tort against the drugmakers.

Connecticut Woman Files Elmiron Lawsuit for ‘Permanent Retinal Injury’

On March 26, 2020, a Connecticut woman filed a lawsuit against Elmiron after she experienced a permanent retinal injury. (United States District Court of Connecticut) The plaintiff had been using the drug since 2005, and she claimed that the drug was causing damage to her vision.

The lawsuit stressed the importance of eye care specialists being informed of the risks related to Elmiron’s use so that they can monitor the vision of their patients taking the drug more closely. The lawsuit also stated that the drug manufacturer had not given patients, doctors, or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adequate warning of the ill effects caused by Elmiron.

A verdict has yet to be reached for the Connecticut woman, but since the filing in 2020, there have been hundreds of patients who have come forward with similar issues as described by this plaintiff. These lawsuits have since been consolidated into a multi-district litigation action (MDL). If you are experiencing vision changes and have been using Elmiron for a long period of time, you are not alone. With a careful review of your situation, it could be determined that you are owed compensation for your damages.

What is Elmiron Maculopathy?

According to Mayo Clinic, maculopathy is a disease that affects the back of the retina and causes difficulty reading, seeing color, recognizing faces, and seeing details in objects. It is a progressive disease that has no cure and can lead to central vision loss. Peripheral vision can be affected, but it is not as common to experience changes to peripheral vision as it is to experience changes to central vision.

Symptoms of maculopathy include:

Blurry spots
Dark spots or blank spots that leave gaps in vision
Difficulty reading
Inability to see color
Blurred vision of objects, faces, and lines

While maculopathy generally occurs as an age-related disease, there are other factors that can lead to it, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. To determine whether the maculopathy that you are experiencing is related to an underlying health condition or Elmiron, you should seek the advice of a health care professional.

Then, you can get a case review from a law firm to understand your legal options. Be prepared to share your medical records so that the Mass tort lawsuit attorney can properly investigate and build your case.

Maculopathy and Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium

As the only FDA-approved oral medication for the treatment of IC, pentosan polysulfate sodium has been prescribed to thousands of patients since it became available in 1996. While there were originally no studies to suggest that pentosan polysulfate sodium could be related to vision loss, recent studies have suggested otherwise.

In 2018, a small study was conducted that revealed that six women taking pentosan polysulfate sodium were detailing symptoms such as difficulty reading and other issues associated with vision loss, despite not having a history of vision problems. (Ophthalmology) As more studies show their results, the correlation between pentosan polysulfate sodium use for IC and visual deterioration continues to increase.

This correlation has produced cause for concern among patients that have taken Elmiron and some doctors who prescribe the drug. With evidence pointing to prolonged usage of pentosan polysulfate sodium leading to maculopathy, many patients who are experiencing vision loss and taking the medication are coming forward to file lawsuits.

Elmiron Injuries and Side Effects

Some of the most common side effects associated with Elmiron include diarrhea, hair loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and headaches. These side effects may seem alarming at first, but they are fairly common, and there is generally no reason to be concerned unless the side effects worsen over time.

The more serious side effects of Elmiron include not only changes in vision, but also eye diseases such as retinal hemorrhage, optic neuritis, and amblyopia. If you suffer any of these side effects, then you should notify your doctor right away, as they could be signs of a much more serious issue.

Due to recent studies, deterioration of vision is a particularly alarming side effect of Elmiron. If you have been taking the drug for an extended period of time, you should immediately notify your eye care specialist if you notice any changes in vision or eye health.

How Liability Law Applies to the Elmiron Cases

Through liability law, most states allow a patient to bring a lawsuit against a drug company due to either a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or a failure to warn the patient of the potential risks associated with taking the drug.

In the Elmiron lawsuits, many plaintiffs state that they were taking daily doses for an extended period of time without knowing that the drug could be harmful to their vision. Claimants are also alleging that the drug manufacturer did not provide the public with the proper warning of the long-term side effects and how these risks could affect patients. Because of this, the manufacturer of Elmiron could be held liable for any damages you faced.

However, you must show that your injuries were the direct result of using Elmiron. If there are other health conditions that are determined to be the reason for your vision loss, then the drug manufacturers may not be held responsible. Major drug lawsuits can be complex and challenging to prove, but a Mass Tort lawsuit lawyer can help you navigate the process. You may want to work with a law firm that is familiar with mass tort lawsuits, as there are many processes and procedures specific to MDLs.

Filing an Elmiron Lawsuit for Eye Damage

Injury cases—including mass tort cases—have specific statutes of limitations set by states. However, if you plan to join the Elmiron lawsuit, you still need to make sure that you do so before your state’s deadline to file.

While the first trials in the Elmiron MDL have not yet begun, there have already been hundreds of Elmiron lawsuits filed. You may be able to join the existing MDL and start building a case for compensation.

If you believe that you suffered vision loss due to prolonged use of Elmiron and want to know more about what the lawsuit against Elmiron is, it is important to get a consultation from a law firm. An attorney will be able to review your case and compare it to other lawsuits that have been filed. By looking through your medical records and other pertinent information, your attorney will be able to help you determine if you should file as part of the mass tort lawsuit.

Types of Compensation Plaintiffs Could Seek in an Elmiron Lawsuit

People facing serious vision loss related to Elmiron use could be suffering in a number of ways. Through a lawsuit, you could seek damages for the following costs and losses:

Medical expenses: This could include any emergency care, diagnostic testing, visits to a doctor, ambulance services, surgeries, or other medical treatment you require. This can include compensation for your past, present, and future anticipated medical care needs.
Lost earnings: You may not have been able to earn your usual income while you were suffering symptoms of vision loss. If you’re unable to return to your former career because of vision loss or impairment, you could recover compensation for the difference between your past and expected future earnings.
Out-of-pocket expenses: You could recover compensation for various out-of-pocket expenses, such as for in-home assistance if you require such care.
Non-financial damages: You could suffer serious emotional and psychological challenges after losing your vision. These losses could be recoverable.

How Do Elmiron Eye Damage Lawsuits Work?

The mass tort lawsuit against Elmiron is different from a class action lawsuit in a couple of ways. In a class action lawsuit, every plaintiff splits the settlement money evenly, while in a mass tort, the amount of compensation issued depends on each party’s specific situation. In a mass tort, every person who brings a lawsuit will be treated as an individual.

The first major step in a mass tort is bellwether trials. Because of the size of mass tort cases, bellwether trials exist to simplify the litigation process. At these trials, lawyers for key plaintiffs will make their cases for the plaintiffs’ damages. These sample trials will give all other plaintiffs in the case a sense of what damages could be available in their own lawsuits.

If the bellwether cases are successful, attorneys for the plaintiffs will take the knowledge they received from the trials and negotiate settlements for their clients. Most of the remaining lawsuits will be settled without ever going to trial, though there are sometimes exceptions.

Elmiron Lawsuit Criteria

To qualify for an Elmiron lawsuit, you must show that your symptoms are associated with prolonged Elmiron use and be able to prove that the symptoms you are experiencing are not caused by other health issues.

In other words, you’ll need to show that:

You took Elmiron as intended and as prescribed by a doctor.
You suffered injuries directly as a result.
You suffered damages.

As mentioned previously, your medical records will play an integral part in your lawsuit. These documents will help your attorney prove that the symptoms you are experiencing can be traced back to Elmiron. It will also allow the attorney to prove that there are no other health issues that could be causing your vision loss. Well-kept records can be the difference between a great settlement and a lesser one.

During this time you may feel overwhelmed, but do not panic. If you are not sure if you qualify for the Elmiron lawsuit, you should seek professional advice. Let health and law professionals help you plan your next move. Your lawyer will know how to seek the best possible results for you.

Choosing an Elmiron Lawyer

Choosing the right Elmiron lawyer for you requires research. Do not rush into working with a lawyer just because they are the first with whom you speak. You want to make sure that you are making the correct decision for your situation. You will want to pick a law group that has experience with mass torts and with getting their clients favorable settlements. The Elmiron lawsuit requires an attorney that is not afraid to take on a large corporation while fighting for their client.

Get a case review from the law firm to ask questions about their experience and how they may be able to represent you. It may be a good idea to get a case review from several firms so you can weigh your options and make the choice that’s best for your case.

Get Legal Help Today

If you believe that it is time for you to seek legal counsel regarding your experiences with Elmiron, get connected with a lawyer’s team today. We can connect you with a mass tort lawyer in our network. If you are seeking more information about what the Elmiron lawsuit is, fill out a contact form on our website today to learn more.