Do You Qualify for the Elmiron Lawsuit? 4 Reasons to File a Claim

According to the Judicial Panel on Multi District Litigation, as of August there are 1924 pending cases. Very few cases seem to be getting filed.

Elmiron lawsuits are increasing rapidly as victims of the bladder drug seek compensation for a myriad of losses they’ve suffered.

What Is Elmiron?

Elmiron is a pharmaceutical drug created to treat interstitial cystitis (IC). IC is a serious, chronic health condition that affects the bladder of both men and women and significantly reduces the quality of life of its many victims, who number in the millions. 

Elmiron Has Caused Its Users Serious Injuries

Created by Janssen Pharmaceuticals decades ago and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, Elmiron is the only oral pharmaceutical treatment for IC. Sadly, many of its users have experienced serious side effects that have wreaked havoc on their retinas and permanently affected their vision.

What’s worse, there’s strong evidence that Elmiron knew about the risks to users but withheld reports demonstrating these adverse effects from both the public and the FDA. 

Additionally, at least two reports, one completed by the Emory Eye Center in 2018 and one presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019, confirmed that Elmiron could indeed threaten users’ vision.

Do You Qualify for the Elmiron Lawsuit?

If you’ve used Elmiron in the past, you may be entitled to significant compensation and consider filing a claim. But first, you must determine whether you’re eligible to do so.

You Took Elmiron for a Certain Length of Time

To be eligible to file for an Elmiron lawsuit, you must have used Elmiron for a certain amount of time. Currently, a large percentage of the users who have already filed lawsuits had been taking Elmiron for at least two years.

However, you don’t need to have taken Elmiron for this long. Many attorneys are representing victims of Elmiron who have taken the drug regularly for as little as six months to a year. It’s possible for damage to the user’s vision to manifest in such a short amount of time.

Regardless of how long you’ve used Elmiron, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms or vision injuries outlined here, speak with an attorney immediately to have your case evaluated. 

You Experienced Certain Vision-Related Problems

You must have experienced certain vision-related issues to be eligible to file an Elmiron lawsuit. Generally speaking, these issues might include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Problems adjusting to the dark
• Difficulty reading
• Eye pain
• Eye color changes
• Light sensitivity
• Muted colors

Other common vision problems users reported experiencing include halo vision, unilateral blindness, and bilateral blindness. 

A Healthcare Professional Diagnosed You with Certain Vision Problems

You may also be eligible to file an Elmiron claim if you’ve experienced certain damage to your vision and have been diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional. Some of the diagnoses used to support Elmiron lawsuits include:

• Maculopathy
• Pigmentary maculopathy
• Retinopathy
• Scotoma
• Retinal dystrophy
• Macular degeneration

The importance of having seen a qualified healthcare professional cannot be overstated, as an official diagnosis is necessary for any Elmiron lawsuit to be successful. If you’ve been experiencing problems with your vision since taking Elmiron, visit a healthcare professional for a thorough examination and diagnosis.

You’ve Suffered Demonstrable Losses

In the U.S., individuals who are injured by the unlawful acts of others have the right to seek compensation for their losses. In other words, wrongdoers and irresponsible parties can be held to pay for the harm they cause others.

Elmiron destroys users’ vision, which is one of the most important tools a person has in this world. The result is the loss of enjoyment of life and economic opportunity, among other losses.

Victims don’t have to shoulder these deep losses alone. They can seek financial restitution in a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

How Much Compensation Victims Should Expect

In all cases of personal injury, the extent of a victim’s damage typically determines the amount of compensation they stand to receive. In the case of Elmiron, victims who face total or near-total blindness could be awarded a sum of anywhere from $750,000 to $1,000,000.

For those victims experiencing between 40%–80% levels of impairment, compensation could range between $350,000 and $750,000, whereas 20%–40% impairment might yield a payout of anywhere from $75,000 to $200,000.

These estimates aren’t guaranteed, but they’re currently being used by attorneys and other parties as a guideline.

How an Attorney Can Help You Get Justice

If you’ve experienced damage to your vision due to Elmiron, you may be entitled to significant compensation. However, Elmiron’s victims must fight hard to get the justice they deserve.

The compensation process is essentially a battle between the wrongdoer (in this case, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) and the many victims. You can expect Janssen’s lawyers to put up a vigorous defense and attempt to pay as little money as possible for the sake of self-preservation.

For these and many other reasons, victims need advocates on their side who know how to counter big companies’ attempts at skirting their responsibility. 

Ensure Compliance with Forms and Procedures

One of the most important aspects of any lawsuit is procedural compliance. In other words, there’s a specific way in which claims and lawsuits must be made and presented to both the defendant and the courts. Failure to abide by these procedural requirements can result in the dismissal of a valid case.

Take statutes of limitations, for example. These are timing requirements mandating that victims take legal action within a specific timeframe or have their cases summarily dismissed. Attorneys must ensure that these and other timing rules are strictly heeded to keep their clients’ claims valid.

Speed Up the Process

Experienced legal advocates know precisely which steps to take and how to proceed in these cases. They’re familiar with the ins and outs of the process and understand how to work efficiently within the confines of the law. This allows them to serve their clients effectively and get timely results.

Keep in mind that cases against major pharmaceutical manufacturers that affect large numbers of individuals can take time to adjudicate. Consequently, it’s unrealistic to expect justice in the form of financial compensation overnight.

That said, having an experienced attorney handling your affairs will ensure that your case proceeds in a timely fashion.

Guarantee Maximum Compensation

Any attorney worth their salt will fight for maximum compensation on behalf of their client.

They understand the games insurance companies and big businesses play and are knowledgeable of the tactics they use to attempt to settle cases quickly and cheaply. They also know how much their clients’ cases are worth and don’t entertain paltry payouts.

Give You Peace of Mind

If you’ve suffered an injury from using Elmiron, managing a lawsuit is the last thing you want to worry about. Victims need time to heal and adjust to their injuries and don’t need the stress that often accompanies the process of fighting for compensation. 

With an experienced lawyer overseeing your case, you never have to worry about how it’s shaping up. You get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that everything that can be done is being done.

Finding the Right Legal Representation

Finding the right legal representation for an Elmiron lawsuit begins with asking the right questions.

Does the Firm Have a Successful Track Record with Cases Like Mine?

The best firm to entrust your case to is the one that’s successfully handled cases like yours in the past.

You can find links to case results and testimonials on some law firms' websites. Peruse these to find out whether a potential candidate has the experience your case deserves. You can also speak directly with the attorneys at the firm to get this information. 

What Will the Firm Charge Me for Representation?

You’ll want to know a firm's exact fee arrangement before deciding to retain its services. Although the lion’s share of personal injury attorneys representing Elmiron victims take their fees from the compensation they recover for you, some may require money up front.

Remember to also inquire into the costs associated with your case, which differ from the lawyer’s fees. Typical costs include filing and court costs, paying to hire experts, and postage and copying fees.

How Well Does the Firm Keep Clients Updated on the Progress of Their Cases?

As a client of a particular law firm, you deserve to be informed of every development that affects your case. Staying in the know will not only set you at ease but assure you that you matter to the firm representing you. 

How Does the Firm Handle Negotiations and Potential Trials?

Are the firm’s attorneys fierce negotiators who aren’t afraid to go to trial? If so, you’re more likely to get a worthy settlement or verdict than if you went with a firm that shies away from trial or has limited experience in court. 

If you or someone you love has been taking Elmiron and has suffered vision damage as a result, fill out our brief contact form to arrange a free case evaluation with a qualified attorney.