Olympus Endoscope Attorneys
If you developed a serious infection after an endoscopic procedure, you may be wondering whether the equipment used during the procedure played a role. That question can be especially important if the infection appeared soon afterward, put you in the hospital, or involved bacteria that resisted common antibiotics. The Olympus endoscope attorneys at Farah & Farah can help you understand what happened and find out whether you may be able to file a lawsuit.
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Why Are People Filing Olympus Endoscope Lawsuits?
Patients filing Olympus endoscope lawsuits allege that certain reusable medical scopes could still carry harmful bacteria even after cleaning and disinfection. If those bacteria reached another patient during a later procedure, they could cause a serious infection that required hospitalization or led to complications such as sepsis.
In 2018, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation pleaded guilty to failing to send the FDA the required reports about serious infections linked to one of its duodenoscopes. Farah & Farah’s defective medical device attorneys can look into which scope was used during your procedure and whether you may have an Olympus endoscope claim.
How Can an Olympus Endoscope Attorney Help You?
An Olympus endoscope attorney can help identify the device used during your procedure and investigate whether it caused your infection. You may remember the procedure and the hospitalization, but the hospital may hold the documents that identify the exact device, organism, and timeline. At Farah & Farah, our attorneys can obtain and review those records to help you understand what happened and whether you may have a claim.
Our attorneys can help by:
- Obtaining procedure reports and equipment records to identify which scope was used
- Examining maintenance records and cleaning logs for possible problems
- Reviewing hospital records and laboratory results to understand when the infection developed and how serious it became
- Working with medical experts to consider whether the endoscope or another medical condition or treatment may have caused the infection
- Reviewing medical bills, lost income, and other losses to determine what compensation you may be able to pursue
You don’t need to gather every record before asking for help. Our defective medical device attorneys can guide you through the next steps while you focus on your recovery.
What Is an Endoscope?
An endoscope is a medical device used to look inside the body. Many endoscopes are long, flexible tubes equipped with a camera, light, and small channels through which doctors can pass tools used during the procedure.
Doctors use different types of scopes to examine the digestive system, lungs, urinary tract, and other parts of the body. The type of endoscope used depends on the area being examined and whether the procedure is being performed to diagnose or treat a condition.
How Can Endoscopes Spread Infection?
Reusable endoscopes can spread infection if harmful bacteria remain on or inside the device and reach another patient during a later procedure. Endoscopes can be difficult to clean because they contain narrow internal channels, joints, moving parts, and other small areas that are hard to reach. The FDA explains that reusable devices, such as endoscopes, must undergo appropriate cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization before being reused. This process is called reprocessing.
Duodenoscopes have received particular attention because of their complex design. Doctors use these scopes during a procedure known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP. Concerns grew when infections were reported even after health care facilities said they followed manufacturer cleaning instructions.
What Are the Symptoms of an Endoscope-Related Infection?
An infection after an endoscopic procedure may cause fever, unusual tiredness, or other symptoms, depending on the organism and the part of the body affected. Common symptoms of an infection include:
- Fever
- A faster heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Unusual tiredness or fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Coughing
- Night sweats
If you develop new or worsening symptoms after an endoscopic procedure, contact your health care provider promptly and explain when the procedure took place.
Why Superbugs and MDROs Are Especially Serious
A multidrug-resistant organism is a bacterium or other microorganism that has become resistant to several medications commonly used to treat infection. People often refer to these organisms as “superbugs.” Drug resistance can make infections harder to treat because medications that would normally work may have little or no effect. Doctors may need laboratory testing to identify the organism and determine which antibiotics can still treat it.
Sepsis After an Endoscopic Procedure
Sepsis is a dangerous response to an infection that can develop when the body’s reaction begins damaging its own tissues and organs. Patients who develop sepsis after an endoscopic procedure may need intensive treatment.
Symptoms of sepsis may include:
- Confusion or other changes in mental awareness
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Unexplained sweating
- Lightheadedness
- Shivering
- Symptoms at the infection site, such as painful urination or a worsening cough
New confusion or rapid breathing requires emergency medical care. Sepsis can progress to septic shock, causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure and potentially fatal organ damage. Long-term complications can leave patients facing additional medical care and lost income even after they leave the hospital.
Who Makes Olympus Endoscopes?
Olympus Corporation is a company based in Japan that has been involved in medical imaging and endoscopy for decades. Its medical business includes Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, which makes products such as endoscopes and other medical equipment. Olympus Corporation of the Americas is part of the company’s U.S. operations and has also appeared in lawsuits involving Olympus medical products.
A History of Infection Concerns Involving Olympus Endoscopes
One important outbreak occurred in the Netherlands in 2012. Investigative reporting by the Los Angeles Times described an Olympus duodenoscope that was examined after 22 patients became ill. A technician reportedly found contamination in parts of the device that were intended to remain sealed. An investigator hired by Olympus and the hospital concluded that the design could allow blood or tissue to remain trapped, contributing to the spread of bacteria between patients.
At UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center, patients developed CRE infections following procedures involving Olympus scopes. CRE are bacteria that resist certain antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. UCLA reported that seven patients were infected, and the infections contributed to two deaths. Other patients may have been exposed. Families later filed lawsuits, raising questions about whether the scopes were too difficult to fully disinfect and whether hospitals had enough information to clean them safely.
What Has the FDA Done About Endoscope Infection Risks?
Federal regulators have taken a series of actions involving duodenoscopes and other reusable Olympus equipment. Those actions have included safety communications, required safety studies, warning letters, and import restrictions.
FDA Investigation Into Duodenoscope Reprocessing
In February 2015, the FDA warned health care professionals that the complex design of ERCP duodenoscopes could interfere with effective cleaning. Later that year, the agency ordered Olympus, Fujifilm, and Pentax to conduct studies examining how well cleaning procedures worked and how often contamination remained.
Study results later showed higher contamination rates than regulators expected. By 2019, the FDA was recommending that hospitals transition away from older fixed-endcap duodenoscopes and toward newer designs intended to make cleaning easier or reduce the need for reprocessing.
Olympus Duodenoscope Recalls and Corrective Actions
FDA recall records document continuing concerns involving Olympus TJF-Q180V and TJF-Q190V duodenoscopes:
- TJF-Q180V: FDA recall records state that deterioration of the adhesive or other damage could interfere with reprocessing and create a risk of contamination. Olympus instructed facilities in 2021 to increase preventive maintenance and consider moving to a newer-generation device.
- TJF-Q190V: In October 2025, Olympus initiated another recall involving the TJF-Q190V. Continued reports of infections and positive tests for contamination prompted updated cleaning instructions and training materials for health care facilities.
Recent FDA Concerns Have Extended Beyond Duodenoscopes
On June 24, 2025, the FDA announced import alerts for certain Olympus devices manufactured in Japan. The agency said violations of manufacturing quality requirements remained despite ongoing efforts to correct the problems.
The alerts blocked future shipments of specified devices, including certain bronchoscopes used in the respiratory tract, ureterorenoscopes used in the urinary tract, and laparoscopes used in the abdomen and pelvis. The restrictions also covered certain machines used to clean and disinfect endoscopes.
Olympus Medical Systems Corporation’s 2018 Guilty Plea
In December 2018, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of distributing misbranded medical devices after failing to send the FDA required reports about infections linked to its duodenoscopes. The Department of Justice said Olympus continued selling the devices in the United States despite those reporting failures.
The company agreed to pay an $80 million criminal fine and forfeit an additional $5 million, bringing the total penalty to $85 million. It also agreed to compliance reforms.
Olympus Endoscope Lawsuits
Patients, families, and hospitals have previously sued Olympus over infections linked to contaminated duodenoscopes. Claims have included allegations of defective design, inadequate warnings, negligence, and wrongful death.
These cases have raised questions about whether Olympus provided safe equipment and adequate cleaning instructions. Farah & Farah’s product liability attorneys can evaluate claims involving allegedly defective products and pursue compensation for the people harmed by them.
UCLA Superbug Lawsuits
Several highly publicized lawsuits followed the CRE outbreak at UCLA. In one case, 18-year-old Aaron Young sued Olympus Corporation of the Americas after he developed a CRE infection following procedures at UCLA. His complaint alleged negligence and fraud and claimed that Olympus had not provided an effective cleaning protocol for its redesigned Q180V scope.
The family of another patient who died also sued Olympus, alleging wrongful death, negligence, and fraud. The lawsuits questioned whether Olympus had given hospitals the information needed to protect patients from contaminated scopes.
The Virginia Mason Bigler Case
Richard Bigler developed an infection after treatment at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. His widow alleged that a contaminated Olympus TJF-Q180V contributed to the infection that preceded his death. The case went to trial in 2017. A Washington jury rejected the argument that the Olympus scope was unsafe as designed. However, the jury found that Olympus failed to provide adequate warnings and ordered the company to pay Virginia Mason $6.6 million. The hospital was separately ordered to pay $1 million to Bigler’s family.
The litigation continued after the 2017 verdict. In January 2018, a judge ordered a new trial after finding that Olympus had not properly disclosed internal emails involving earlier safety concerns.
$2+ BILLION IN RESULTS
Is There an Olympus Endoscope Class Action Lawsuit?
Olympus endoscope infection claims have generally proceeded as individual lawsuits rather than a class action. A class action is different because one or more plaintiffs seek to represent a larger group whose claims share common issues. An individual lawsuit allows patients to seek compensation based on their own infection, treatment needs, and losses.
Is There an Olympus Endoscope MDL?
There is currently no Olympus endoscope multidistrict litigation, or MDL. An MDL allows similar federal lawsuits to be coordinated before a single judge for matters such as exchanging evidence and preparing for trial, while plaintiffs retain their individual cases.
The lack of an Olympus MDL does not mean lawsuits cannot be filed. Patients can still pursue individual claims in state or federal court.
Have Olympus Endoscope Lawsuits Settled?
Some earlier Olympus infection disputes have been resolved, including individual cases that settled privately. There is also no reliable “average Olympus settlement” to predict what a new case may be worth. The amount a patient may recover depends on the severity of the infection, treatment costs, lost income, and lasting effects on their life.
What Compensation May Be Available in an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit?
A patient harmed by a defective Olympus endoscope may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the effects of the infection on everyday life. Depending on the case, those damages may include:
- Hospital and emergency treatment costs
- Additional medical care
- Future treatment related to the infection
- Lost income
- Reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- The effects of long-term complications
- Other out-of-pocket losses
When an infection results in death, eligible family members may have a wrongful death claim. Our attorneys can help families understand their options for holding the responsible parties accountable and seeking compensation for their loss.
How Long Do You Have To File an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit?
Every state has deadlines for filing product liability and wrongful death claims. Those deadlines are called statutes of limitations, and the applicable deadline can depend on the state law that applies, when the infection occurred, and when the patient learned or reasonably should have learned that a device may have contributed to the injury.
Because these rules vary by state, there is no single nationwide deadline for an Olympus endoscope claim. Speaking with an attorney right away can help protect your opportunity to pursue compensation.
Who May Qualify for an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit?
Farah & Farah may be able to help if you underwent a diagnostic endoscopic procedure in 2017 or later and were hospitalized for an infection within 30 days afterward. Our attorneys can review what happened and determine whether you may have a claim involving an Olympus endoscope.
You don’t need to know the exact scope model or have all your medical records before contacting us. We can help obtain the information needed to investigate your case.
Speak With an Olympus Endoscope Lawsuit Attorney at Farah & Farah
If you developed a serious infection after an Olympus endoscopic procedure, you may be facing medical bills, time away from work, and lasting changes to your health. At Farah & Farah, we can investigate what happened, hold the responsible parties accountable, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Farah & Farah for a free consultation to find out whether you may be able to file an Olympus endoscope lawsuit. Let us handle the legal work while you focus on your recovery.
We’re here to help. Reach out to Farah & Farah today.
If you were harmed by an Olympus endoscope, you deserve answers and the opportunity to pursue justice. At Farah & Farah, we fight for the maximum compensation available for your injuries and work to hold those responsible accountable, so you can focus on your recovery.
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