Levy Konigsberg has alerted readers about the dangers of Elmiron, a medication commonly used to treat interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome that has caused significant visual impairment in patients. A number of medical and academic studies have demonstrated a link between exposure to pentosan polysulfate sodium (commonly known as Elmiron) and pigmentary maculopathy, which may result in severe damage to a person’s central vision as well as impaired adjustment to low-level lighting and reading. Chronic users of Elmiron have been disproportionately diagnosed with a form of retinal maculopathy; studies have found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with prolonged exposure to Elmiron developed substantial damage to their vision, which may initially be identified as other retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.
Elmiron’s label was not revised to include a warning about retinal damage until June, 2020. Lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Elmiron, have alleged that the company failed to warn users of the risk of vision impairment and permanent vision loss associated with the medication.
Elmiron Lawsuits Consolidated in Multidistrict Litigation
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation released an Order on December 15, 2020 to create a multidistrict litigation for federal cases (MDL) involving Elmiron. Under the Order, hundreds of Elmiron lawsuits were assigned to the District of New Jersey for trial. An MDL is intended to consolidate federal cases into a single case when the court anticipates hundreds or thousands of actions involving a single defective product. In an MDL, the litigation is handled by one court to streamline the caseload in particularly complex litigations. Individual “test” cases are designated for trial and the outcomes of those cases are used for negotiation purposes in reaching various settlements for the remaining cases.
Bellwether Trial Set to Begin January, 2023
Lawsuits against the manufacturer of Elmiron are scheduled to go to trial in January, 2023 according to the Case Management Order issued on May 13, 2021. Judge Brian R. Martinotti, who is overseeing federal Elmiron cases in New Jersey, has indicated that lawyers should present a plan to choose bellwether cases for additional discovery prior to trial. As of July, 2021, the Elmiron MDL included over 270 cases. In addition, another 43 cases are pending in state courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Judge Martinotti has scheduled a “Science Day” on September 30, 2021 to provide an opportunity for plaintiff and defense attorneys to present summaries of significant medical and scientific issues regarding Elmiron and the associated risks of eye damage.
If you have suffered vision damage after taking Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys are accepting claims from patients who have been injured after taking Elmiron. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in various cases involving defective medications and medical devices. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation by calling 1-800-988-8005 or submitting an email inquiry on this page.
