Elmiron Lawsuit

Have you Or a Loved One Experienced Vision Problems After Taking Elmiron?

Elmiron Lawsuit

You could be entitled to compensation.

At John Bales Attorneys we wake up every morning ready to fight for our clients. We’re tired of ‘big pharma’ and insurance companies bullying the ‘little guy’ and have built a reputation on making them pay.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or other eye-related conditions after taking the bladder medication Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation.

What is the Elmiron Eye Damage Lawsuit About?

Lawsuits involving the drug Elmiron allege that the manufacturer (Janssen Pharmaceuticals) knowingly failed to warn patients and their doctors about the potential risk of vision problems as a side effect, up to and including blindness.

As an advocate for patients around the country, John Bales Attorneys stand ready to represent those who have suffered at the hands of big pharma, demanding that Janssen Pharmaceuticals be held accountable for their actions and compensate those affected for pain, suffering, current and future lost earnings, medical bills and more.

Who Qualifies to File an Elmiron Lawsuit?

Generally, anyone who had used Elmiron and later developed maculopathy eye damage may be eligible. However, in many states the statute of limitations is short, so don’t delay.

If your vision or eyes have been negatively impacted by the use of Elmiron, we can help. Read on to find out more about the Elmiron situation, lawsuits, current litigation and how our firm can help you in and out of court.

What Are the Legal Grounds for an Elmiron Lawsuit?

  • Gastric cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Intestinal cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Renal / Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer (non-smokers)
  • Stomach cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • And more…

Although your case may vary, the leading claim in most lawsuits involving Elmiron revolve around claims that Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn both patients and doctors about potentially dangerous and harmful side effects associated with using the drug.

Prior to June 16th, 2020, the packaging of this product’s warning label did NOT list maculopathy as a potential side effect or risk, preventing patients and their doctors from weighing the potential risk against the possible benefits when deciding on treatment options.

Given the information and opportunity, many patients may have refused to take Elmiron. Similarly, many doctors, in light of the risk to vision, may have offered alternative medications or treatment modalities.

Don’t you wish you were given the chance to evaluate these risks yourself? So do we. Let us help make things right by holding those accountable for their actions and getting you the compensation you deserve.

We can’t bring back your vision, but we can help make sure you and your family are financially secure.

Does Elmiron Cause Maculopathy?

Several studies have now revealed significant evidence demonstrating Elmiron’s toxicity to retinal eye tissue (macula). These studies showed that around 25% of patients who used the drug for six or more months developed a condition known as pigmentary maculopathy (damage to the macula).

This macular injury is capable of causing permanent vision loss leading up to and including total blindness. Those affected may also experience varying types of macular degeneration such as pattern dystrophy and pigmentary maculopathy.

What Does the American Academy of Ophthalmology Have to Say?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) published a piece covering six patients at Emory Eye Center who had used Elmiron and later developed pigmentary maculopathy that could not be explained by other causes. It was later presumed by AAO that this condition was caused by the drug’s toxicity to retinal eye tissue.

What Does The Maker of Elmiron Have to Say Now?

According to updated warning labels from the manufacturer, the company has now publicly acknowledged the risk of developing pigmentary maculopathy with the drug’s warning label now stating:

“Pigmentary changes in the retina, reported in the literature as pigmentary maculopathy, have been identified with long-term use of ELMIRON® (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Although most of these cases occurred after 3 years of use or longer, cases have been seen with a shorter duration of use. While the etiology is unclear, cumulative dose appears to be a risk factor.”

What Kind of Symptoms Do Elmiron Users Experience?

Those individuals who have experienced eye damage as a result of taking this bladder medication may experience symptoms including but not limited to:

  • Increasing difficulty seeing or visually focusing
  • Blurry vision (usually in the center field of vision)
  • Struggling to read
  • Difficulty adjusting to the changing light in various settings
  • Seeing dark spots in the center of vision
  • Experiencing a lack of contrast, vibrance or less vivid colors (dulled)
  • Abnormal blood vessels (parafoveal pigmented deposits)
  • Yellowish, rounded lesions formed under the macula
  • Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy
  • And more…

If you or a loved one used the bladder medication Elmiron and have experienced these or other eye-related symptoms or conditions, you need an attorney on your side who will fight hard to make sure you get what you deserve.

With over 20 years of experience and more than $400 million in settlements, and court judgements won for our clients, we come ready to put this company to the hot coals and make sure you and your family are well taken care of.

Is the Elmiron Lawsuit a Class Action?

Each lawsuit filed is a separate case against the maker of the drug. However, lawsuits filed in Elmiron cases are consolidated into what is known as a “multi-district litigation” (MDL).

What is an MDL?

An MDL was designed to be beneficial to all parties, streamlining and making the process of litigation (especially for faulty medical devices and pharmaceuticals) more efficient. In such cases, the presiding judge makes what are known as ‘pretrial rulings’ ahead of the first few cases. Once the first 3-5 cases have played out in court, the outcome serves as a ‘precedent’ and a foundation for negotiating settlements for the rest of the plaintiffs (i.e. potentially you).

The Benefit of an MDL?

Not only are these cases more efficient, often resulting in obtaining faster settlements, each case is INDIVIDUAL, meaning every plaintiff gets their own separate settlement (if obtained).

The current Elmiron MDL is located in the District of New Jersey.

Was Elmiron Recalled?

Unfortunately, no. Despite the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) documenting no less than 100 cases in which those prescribed experienced vision problems, the drug is still prescribed by urologists and rheumatologists to this day.

Have Any Settlements Been Reached Yet?

At the time of writing, no. But now is the time to strike. The proverbial iron is ‘hot’, and law firms such as John Bales Attorneys are currently looking to seek large financial settlements for impacted clients.

We can’t put a price tag on your lost or impacted vision. No one can. But what we can do is hold this company accountable and make sure that you have the financial compensation to help you and your family now and in the future.

What Can I Claim Compensation For?

Every case and circumstance is unique, but our personal injury law firm may be able to help you claim compensation for the following:

  • Lost wages (past and future)
  • Lost earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Past, current and future medical bills
  • Mental health counseling
  • And more…

A Personal Injury Law Firm That Cares

Get the Help You Need Today

If you or a loved one have taken Elmiron and have suffered from eye problems, reach out today to find out if you qualify to file your own claim.

Our team of aggressive personal injury attorneys is ready to go to bat for you. We’re tired of the ‘little guy’ getting hurt by big pharma with no consequences for those in charge.
Let us fight to earn you the compensation you deserve. Consultations are always free, and cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing until we win you compensation.

Attorney advertising disclaimer: Results cannot be guaranteed.

References

Elmiron 100 mg, FDA.

Elmiron, FDA.

July – September 2019 | Potential Signals of Serious Risks/New Safety Information Identified by the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), FDA.

Joseph T Nezgoda, MD MBA, Nieraj Jain, MD, Pigmentary Maculopathy From Chronic Exposure, AAO (December 7, 2018); Elmiron use may also lead to atypical retinopathy.

More Evidence Linking Common Bladder Medication to a Vision-threatening Eye Condition, AAO (October 12, 2019), Kaiser Permanente (140 patients consumed 5,000 doses over an average of 15 years; upon examination of 91, 22 developed pigmentary maculopathy.); Robin A. Vora, Amar P. Patel, Ronald Melles, Prevalence of Maculopathy Associated with Long-Term Pentosan Polysulfate Therapy, AAO (January 16, 2020). Other types of maculopathy include age-related macular degeneration, cellophane maculopathy (“macular pucker”), and Malattia Leventinese (“Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy” or DHRD).