Olympus-manufactured duodenoscopes and other flexible endoscopes have been linked to outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Patients who contracted these infections have faced prolonged hospitalizations, organ damage, and, in some cases, death. If you were diagnosed with a serious infection after a procedure involving an Olympus scope, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and seek compensation for all losses related to your condition.
Medical Expenses Related to Your Olympus Scope Infection
Infections and injuries associated with Olympus scopes can be severe, requiring additional medical care and potentially long-term treatment. In your lawsuit, you have the right to recover compensation for both your current and future medical needs.
Recoverable medical costs typically include:
- Emergency treatment
- Extended courses of IV antibiotics
- Corrective surgeries
- Hospitalization and ICU stays
- Diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing
- Specialist consultations
- Prescription medications
- Physical and occupational therapy
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity Due to Your Injury
When you are hospitalized for weeks due to an infection or injury, you likely lose the income your family depends on. You have the right to recover damages for the lost wages and benefits you incurred during your treatment and recovery. If the injury has affected your ability to work in the same position, or at all, you can seek compensation for the full value of your diminished earning capacity.
Disability Accommodations and Caregiving Assistance
Serious complications often change how a person lives at home. If your Olympus infection results in a permanent disability, you may recover damages to help pay for mobility equipment, bathroom and entryway modifications, accessible transportation, and in-home nursing or personal care. If a family member needs to stop working to provide full-time care, you may be eligible to recover damages for the value of these services, depending on where you live.
Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering Damages
Non-economic damages, often called pain and suffering, refer to the physical and emotional toll an injury has taken on your life. That includes the physical pain from the infection and its treatment, the psychological toll of sepsis or a prolonged ICU stay, ongoing anxiety about recurrence, and the loss of independence or quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Family Members
When an Olympus-related infection is fatal, the surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death laws vary by state and affect who may file a claim and the types of damages that can be recovered. Some states require a court-appointed personal representative to file, while others allow spouses, children, parents, and other qualified family members to bring a claim.
In many places, families can secure compensation for:
- Final medical bills
- Funeral and burial costs
- The financial support the decedent would have provided
- The loss of the decedent’s companionship, guidance, and services
Find Out What Your Olympus Scope Lawsuit May Be Worth
The value of an Olympus scope lawsuit will depend on the damages you have suffered and what you are eligible to recover. Only an attorney can evaluate your case and determine what your claim might be worth.
At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, our attorneys help patients and families nationwide pursue the full value of their Olympus scope lawsuits, from future medical bills to pain and suffering. If you have been affected by a contaminated Olympus scope, contact us today for a free, confidential case review.