It Was Cleaned By The Book.
Patients Got Infected
Anyway.
Reusable endoscopes — especially Olympus duodenoscopes used in ERCP — have narrow channels and moving parts that can be unusually difficult to fully disinfect. The FDA has documented infections occurring even when hospitals followed the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. Olympus paid $85 million after pleading guilty to federal charges over its handling of duodenoscope infections. Attorneys are reviewing scope infection claims nationwide.
Litigation Status
Individual Cases.
Documented Failures.
There is no consolidated federal MDL for Olympus scope infection claims — cases are being filed individually in state and federal courts nationwide. That doesn't mean the record is thin: regulators and juries have already found against Olympus more than once.
Olympus scope infection cases are proceeding as individual product liability lawsuits in courts nationwide. No global settlement exists, which makes early legal advice about your specific claim more important, not less.
In 2018, Olympus Medical Systems pleaded guilty to federal charges for failing to report duodenoscope-linked infections, including an outbreak at Erasmus Medical Center, while continuing to sell the devices in the U.S.
Attorneys handling Olympus scope infection lawsuits in this network work exclusively on contingency. No retainer, no hourly billing. If no settlement or verdict is recovered on your behalf, you owe nothing.
"The FDA found infections even when hospitals followed the cleaning instructions exactly."
Who Is Filing & Why
The Injuries.
The Device History.
The Evidence.
Scope infection claims rest on a documented pattern of design, warning, and reporting failures — not just a single bad cleaning. A connected attorney will assess which theories apply to your situation.
CRE, VRE & Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections — Core Claims
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Pseudomonas, and drug-resistant E. coli are the infections most frequently tied to contaminated duodenoscopes in outbreak investigations and litigation.
Olympus — Design, Warning & Reporting Allegations
Olympus pleaded guilty in 2018 to failing to file required adverse-event reports on duodenoscope infections, including an outbreak at Erasmus Medical Center, and paid $85 million. Lawsuits allege the device's design and instructions made contamination difficult to prevent.
TJF-Q180V & TJF-Q190V Duodenoscopes — Recalled Models
The original TJF-Q180V was central to outbreaks at hospitals including UCLA and Virginia Mason. Its successor, the TJF-Q190V, was subject to further FDA Class II recalls in 2023 and 2025 over continuing infection and contamination reports.
Bronchoscopes, Gastroscopes & Other Reusable Scopes
Olympus also manufactures gastroscopes, colonoscopes, bronchoscopes, cystoscopes, and ureteroscopes. FDA scrutiny of endoscope reprocessing and reporting extends beyond duodenoscopes, though the strongest cases still turn on the specific device and infection involved.
Sepsis, Prolonged Hospitalization & ICU Treatment
Scope-related infections have led to sepsis, extended IV antibiotic courses, prolonged hospital stays, ICU admission, and organ damage. Patients with documented severe outcomes tend to have the strongest claims.
Wrongful Death — Families of Patients Who Did Not Survive
Duodenoscope-linked outbreaks at hospitals such as Virginia Mason resulted in patient deaths; a King County jury previously returned a $6.6 million verdict in one such case. Families of patients who died following a scope infection may have wrongful death claims.
Eligibility
Your Situation
May Support a Claim
Not every infection after a scope procedure leads to a claim — causation and device identification matter. The threshold question is whether you had a documented infection following a scope procedure. The rest is for a connected attorney to assess at no cost.
You had an ERCP, endoscopy, colonoscopy, or bronchoscopy
Duodenoscopes used in ERCP carry the strongest documented litigation history, but infections tied to other reusable scope procedures are also being investigated.
You were diagnosed with CRE, VRE, Pseudomonas, or drug-resistant E. coli
These resistant organisms are the ones most frequently linked to contaminated duodenoscopes in outbreak investigations and litigation. Other bacterial infections following a scope procedure may also qualify.
You were hospitalized, treated in the ICU, or given IV antibiotics
Sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, ICU admission, and extended antibiotic treatment following a scope procedure are among the strongest indicators of a documented, serious infection.
Your hospital sent you an infection-control notification
A letter from a hospital notifying you of a possible device-related infection, or later learning your procedure involved a recalled scope, can significantly strengthen a claim.
The scope used was made by Olympus
Olympus manufactures the majority of duodenoscopes used in the U.S., including the TJF-Q180V and TJF-Q190V models named in litigation. A connected attorney can help identify the device from your medical records if you're not sure.
Your diagnosis occurred within the past several years
State statutes of limitation vary and typically run two to three years from diagnosis, though wrongful death claims follow different deadlines. A connected attorney can assess your exact deadline at no cost.
How It Works
Zero Upfront.
Every Step Handled.
Attorneys in this network manage the entire scope infection claim process. Your job is providing your procedure and medical history — they handle the investigation and litigation.
Free Confidential Case Review
A connected attorney evaluates your procedure history and diagnosis to see whether the facts support a viable claim. You'll know quickly, with no commitment required.
Medical & Device Documentation
Hospital records, culture results, and any infection-control notifications are gathered to identify the device used and establish the link between your procedure and your infection.
Filing as an Individual Claim
There is currently no consolidated MDL for Olympus scope claims, so your case is filed individually in the appropriate state or federal court. Defendants are served and discovery begins.
Settlement or Verdict
Outcomes are evaluated case by case — there is no universal payout figure. A connected attorney's fee comes exclusively from your recovery — you never pay anything out of pocket at any stage of the process.
From Those Who Filed
Their Words
"I went in for an ERCP and came out with a CRE infection three weeks later. The hospital said they'd followed every cleaning step. I didn't know that was even something you could sue over until I started looking into it."
"My father died six weeks after a routine procedure. It took months before anyone connected it to the scope. The attorney I connected with through this site was the first person who actually explained what happened."
"Two weeks in the hospital on IV antibiotics after a colonoscopy that was supposed to be routine. I had no idea reusable scopes could carry infections between patients until my case review."
Common Questions
What You Need to Know
Yes. As of 2026, Olympus scope infection cases are proceeding as individual product liability lawsuits in state and federal courts nationwide — there is not yet a consolidated federal MDL. Attorneys in this network are still accepting new cases. Submit your information for a free evaluation to find out if your claim qualifies.
CRE, VRE, Pseudomonas, and drug-resistant E. coli are the infections most frequently linked to contaminated duodenoscopes, along with resulting sepsis, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. A connected attorney can assess whether your infection qualifies at no cost.
The TJF-Q180V duodenoscope is central to the original wave of litigation. Its successor, the TJF-Q190V, was subject to FDA Class II recalls in 2023 and 2025 over continuing infection reports. Olympus also makes gastroscopes, colonoscopes, and bronchoscopes that remain under FDA scrutiny. A connected attorney can help identify your device from your medical records.
There is no single, universal Olympus settlement. Olympus paid $85 million in 2018 to resolve DOJ charges, and a Washington jury previously returned a $6.6 million verdict in one case, but individual claims are evaluated on their own facts. A connected attorney can explain what applies to you in a free consultation.
Potentially yes. Medical records, an infection-control notification, or a records request can often identify the device used in your procedure. A connected attorney can help investigate the device history at no cost.
Yes — statutes of limitation vary by state, typically two to three years from diagnosis, though wrongful death claims follow different deadlines. Contact a connected attorney now to find out the deadline in your state.
Reusable endoscopes — especially duodenoscopes used in ERCP — have narrow channels and moving parts that can be unusually difficult to fully disinfect. The FDA has found infections occurring even when hospitals followed manufacturer instructions, which is why lawsuits focus on device design and warnings rather than hospital cleaning alone. Find out if your infection supports a claim.
You Trusted the Cleaning Process.
Now Find Out What Happened.
The evaluation is free. The call is confidential. There is no obligation until you choose to move forward.