Olympus Corporation is currently facing lawsuits for allegations that its medical scopes are impossible for health care providers to properly clean and sanitize – leading to dangerous cross-contamination between patients and the development of drug-resistant “superbugs” that could be life-threatening.
If you or a loved one recently underwent a diagnostic procedure involving a scope manufactured by Olympus and suffered a serious infection or illness as a result, you may be eligible for financial compensation from a defective medical product case in Minnesota.
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC is a premier source of legal representation for clients injured by defective medical devices in Minnesota and nationwide. We are committed to helping injured victims hold manufacturers accountable for failing to ensure reasonable patient safety. To learn more or discuss a particular case, call us at (612) 333-4662 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC?
- We have obtained record-setting case results in the medical malpractice arena and recovered millions of dollars for victims injured by defective and dangerous medical devices.
- Our clients experience the difference it makes when a lawyer is truly in it for the people. We constantly keep our clients updated and informed about the status of their cases.
- Our team has gone up against major medical device manufacturers, large-scale corporations and insurance companies and won. We aren’t afraid to stand up to powerful adversaries.
- You won’t pay your attorney from Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC anything in fees unless we successfully secure financial compensation for your Olympus scope lawsuit.
What Is an Olympus Scope and How Is it Used?
An Olympus scope can refer to any of the surgical endoscopes, laparoscopes and exoscopes manufactured by Olympus Medical Systems Corporation. This Japan-based company develops gastrointestinal endoscopes that are used in health care for minimally invasive treatments and diagnostics.
Olympus-brand scopes are widely used in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. for procedures such as:
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Enteroscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
Olympus scopes are inserted into a patient’s body to allow physicians to see inside a cavity or organ and – using lights and cameras – check for signs of abnormalities. They are primarily used to screen for, diagnose and treat conditions without requiring invasive surgical procedures.
How Do Olympus Scopes Cause “Superbug” Infections?
A “superbug” is a bacteria, virus or parasite that is highly resistant to drugs and medical treatments. It has mutated past the point of being easily killed by medications and antibiotics. This makes these bugs highly dangerous and difficult to cure, often resulting in severe and fatal infections and illnesses.
Current Olympus scope lawsuits allege that surgical scopes manufactured and distributed by this corporation feature a defective design that traps biological material within its parts – making them impossible to correctly clean and sterilize in between patients. This defect causes an extreme risk of cross-contamination between patients and the development of dangerous superbugs.
What Is the Current FDA Investigation Status of Olympus Scopes?
Since 2015, Olympus scopes have been at the center of numerous investigations, warnings and recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for infection risks. In 2018, Olympus pleaded guilty to criminal charges for infections connected to its duodenoscopes and had to pay an $85 million penalty for concealing adverse infection events associated with its products.
As of the latest FDA update, officials are recommending the removal of certain Olympus devices from medical facilities and retailers. The FDA has announced that, despite the corporation’s ongoing efforts to address Quality System regulation compliance issues, government authorities continue to have concerns regarding outstanding violations. Therefore, the FDA has stopped all future shipments of certain Olympus scope devices from entering the United States.
The FDA is currently recommending that health care providers be aware of the current import alert and, if using devices involved in the alert, to only continue their use if no problems have been experienced. Health care providers should follow the instructions on how to properly clean, reprocess and maintain these Olympus scopes. The use of any damaged devices or devices that have failed the leak test should be discontinued immediately.
Types of Infections and Injuries Linked to Olympus Scopes
Defective Olympus surgical scopes have been connected to serious infections, illnesses and injuries. Affected patients have reported drug-resistant superbug infections, HIV, tuberculosis, sepsis, organ damage and organ failure. There has been at least one death connected to Olympus scope infections.
Who Qualifies to File an Olympus Scope Lawsuit in 2026?
You may be eligible for financial compensation if you suffered an infection or adverse health complication after undergoing a scope procedure that used an Olympus device.
Eligibility Requirements for Patients and Families
Contact an attorney from Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC to find out if you qualify for an Olympus scope lawsuit. You may be eligible for compensation if you meet the following criteria:
- You or a loved one underwent a scope procedure using an Olympus scope instrument
- The procedure occurred in or after the year 2015
- You developed an infection requiring hospitalization or were diagnosed with a bloodborne disease within 90 days of your procedure
- You were diagnosed with HIV at any time after a scope procedure
Patients who qualify for financial compensation from Olympus scope lawsuits in Minnesota may receive payment for losses such as related medical bills, pain and suffering, long-term health effects, and more.
What to Do if You Received a Hospital Exposure Notification Letter
Minnesota hospitals with information or evidence related to a potential contamination event connected to the use of Olympus scopes at their facility must send out notification letters to potentially impacted patients.
If you receive this letter, here’s what to do:
- Read the information contained within the letter carefully.
- Keep a copy of the letter safe for your records.
- Carefully monitor your health for symptoms of infection or illness.
- Seek a professional medical evaluation if you develop any symptoms.
- Gather medical treatment records related to your scope procedure and subsequent injuries.
When you’re ready to seek justice and accountability for your Olympus scope infection or illness, contact the medical product defect attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for a free case evaluation in Minnesota.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Minnesota Defective Medical Device Lawyer Today
If you were treated by a health care provider in Minnesota using a scope designed or manufactured by the Olympus Corporation and suffered a serious infection or illness afterward, you have legal rights. Allow us to protect them with personalized legal services by contacting a personal injury lawyer from Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC. Contact our experienced medical device defect attorneys today for more information. Request your free, no-pressure case review at (612) 333-4662 or when you contact us online.