Olympus Scope Infection Lawsuit

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking to represent people who experienced serious injuries or infection after undergoing an endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy or duodenoscopy (ERCP) using an endoscope made by Olympus, one of the leading endoscope manufacturers.

Lawsuits are being filed alleging that Olympus endoscopes, which are designed to be reusable, can become contaminated with germs and bacteria and pass them from patient to patient, even when providers correctly follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. According to the lawsuits, Olympus was well aware of the risk that patients who had procedures using its endoscopes could develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections and injuries yet failed to warn doctors and patients.

Olympus has also received reports of its endoscopes malfunctioning or breaking within patients, leading to serious injuries or requiring additional medical intervention.

Lawsuits filed against Olympus could hold the company accountable for the harm caused to patients and their families by contaminated or potentially defective endoscopes, including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

Now, the attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to hear from patients (or their loved ones) who underwent an endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy or duodenoscopy (ERCP) since 2015 and experienced any of the following complications or injuries:

• Tuberculosis
• HIV
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Organ damage/failure
• Perforation or internal injury
• Sepsis
• Death

What Is the Olympus Scope Lawsuit About?

Lawsuits filed over Olympus scopes are claiming that the devices’ design prevents them from being effectively cleaned and disinfected between procedures, leading to a risk of infection and injury in subsequent patients.

The lawsuits note that Olympus endoscopes were designed for repeated use, requiring extensive cleaning and disinfecting (called reprocessing) between procedures. Allegations have surfaced, however, that even if healthcare providers strictly follow the cleaning instructions provided by Olympus, bodily fluids and tissue can become trapped in the scopes’ complex tip and narrow channels, as well as in scratches, grooves and damaged areas caused by repeated use. As a result, scopes can become contaminated with bacteria and pathogens that cannot be reached by disinfectant, exposing patients in subsequent scope procedures to health risks such as infection, sepsis, organ failure and death, the lawsuits allege.

One Olympus scope lawsuit notes that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Olympus to conduct a post-market safety and efficacy study on several of its duodenoscopes to assess whether providers could effectively follow the manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions without errors or failures that could harm patients. The study, conducted between October 2017 and October 2018, found that Olympus’ reprocessing instructions were “not sufficient” to consistently ensure that providers could effectively clean the duodenoscopes.

Moreover, a 2022 post-market study ordered by the FDA found that Olympus could only show that 34.8% of its sampled endoscopes were free from contamination, the lawsuit says.

According to the duodenoscope infection lawsuit, Olympus knew about and failed to warn patients and providers that its scopes could not be effectively reprocessed and that patients could be exposed to significant health risks as a result.

Indeed, it has been alleged that disease outbreaks related to endoscopes have been widely reported in scientific literature, which the lawsuits say should have put Olympus on notice of the risks involved with reusable scopes and the importance of ensuring that they are properly and effectively reprocessed.

Finally, Olympus is facing allegations that it has consistently underreported complications and injuries resulting from its endoscopes. In 2018, the company and an executive pleaded guilty to distributing endoscopes after failing to file required adverse event reports involving infections connected to duodenoscopes. An assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division reportedly stated that Olympus and its executive had “put patients’ health at risk” by failing to timely report problems that could lead to injury, illness or death.

What Procedures Are Eligible for Lawsuits?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are currently interested in hearing from patients (or their family members) who received any of the following procedures:

• Endoscopy. This procedure is performed to diagnose, evaluate and treat problems in the upper digestive system. It is used to assess symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, vomiting and difficulty swallowing, and help identify conditions such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), celiac disease and hiatal hernia.
• Colonoscopy. A routine procedure for colon cancer screening, colonoscopies examine the inside of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum, and can be performed to evaluate symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain. It can help diagnose Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, ulcers, large bowel obstructions and colorectal polyps.
• ERCP. During an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), a doctor will use an endoscope and X-rays to look inside the bile and pancreatic ducts. An ERCP may be performed to identify and diagnose conditions such as gallstones, tumors or cancer in the bile ducts, and narrowing caused by scar tissue. The procedure is typically performed with a duodenoscope. 
• Duodenoscopy. This procedure involves the examination of the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, and is generally performed during an upper endoscopy (also called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD).
• Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscopy allows a look inside the airways and lungs. It can help evaluate and even treat conditions involving the lungs, throat and trachea. A bronchoscopy may be ordered to assess symptoms like coughing up blood, excessive coughing, or shortness of breath; as a follow-up to an X-ray or scan suggesting cancer; to determine potential causes of infection and inflammation in the lungs; and to treat narrowed areas in the airways.  

Which Olympus Scopes Are Involved?

To date, Olympus scope lawsuits have been filed over at least the Olympus TJF-Q180V (duodenoscope), Olympus TJF-Q190V (duodenoscope) and Olympus CF-HQ190L (colonoscope).

For instance, a wrongful death case was filed by the widow of a man who was allegedly infected with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (sometimes called “superbugs”), after undergoing an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). According to the duodenoscope infection lawsuit, the bacteria were not present in the man’s bloodwork until after the endoscopic procedure, during which the Olympus TJF-Q190V duodenoscope was used. The case claims the man died roughly 16 days after the procedure due to organ failure and septic shock caused by the VRE allegedly introduced to his body by the Olympus duodenoscope.

Another Olympus endoscope lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff developed an infection with C. difficile, a type of bacteria that causes inflammation of the colon, after undergoing a colonoscopy using the Olympus CF-HQ190L colonoscope. The plaintiff says she was initially admitted to the hospital for 10 days due to the infection and has experienced recurring infections and chronic fatigue ever since her procedure.

Infections & Injuries – “Superbugs” Linked to Contaminated Scopes

Contaminated scopes have been linked to various outbreaks, infections and injuries over the past 14 years, leading to patient deaths, multiple recalls and investigations by government agencies.

In 2012, an investigator looking into a superbug outbreak that had sickened 22 patients at a hospital in the Netherlands found bacteria within an area of an Olympus endoscope that was supposed to be sealed, concluding that the scope’s design could allow tissue to become trapped within the scope and spread bacteria among patients.

Several months later, patients at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center began testing positive for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a type of superbug that is highly resistant to antibiotics. Many patients with CRE infections had been treated with Olympus scopes, and five of the scopes were found to contain bacteria even after being disinfected, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Between 2012 and 2014, 32 patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle were infected by a drug-resistant superbug spread by the use of contaminated scopes that had been cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Following the superbug duodenoscope incident, Virginia Mason reportedly determined that the recommended guidelines for cleaning the scopes were “inadequate.”

Two Olympus endoscopes were found to be linked to a superbug outbreak at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center between October 2014 and January 2015. Seven patients who underwent endoscopic procedures were infected with CRE, and two died as a result of the CRE infection.

An FDA safety communication issued in February 2015 warned healthcare professionals that internal parts of duodenoscopes may be “extremely difficult to access” and that effective cleaning of the devices “may not be possible.” The agency also noted that “design issues” could complicate the reprocessing of the devices and cause patients to be exposed to microbial contamination. Shortly after, Olympus recalled a duodenoscope, model number TJF-Q180V, and provided new reprocessing procedures for the scope.

In early 2016, a U.S. Senate report concluded that contaminated duodenoscopes made by Olympus and two other manufacturers were linked to at least 25 outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide, including the superbug UCLA incident. The FDA reportedly stated at the time that it had received 273 reports of infections or similar problems tied to Olympus scopes.

Two days after the report was released, Olympus again issued a recall for the TJF-Q180V duodenoscope to replace the device’s forceps “elevator” mechanism with one cleared by the FDA to help reduce the risk of bacterial infections. According to the FDA, leakage of fluid and other biological material into the closed elevator mechanism, a moveable part near the end of the scope, could cause an infection risk for patients as the sealed area cannot be cleaned and disinfected between uses. The scope was subject to at least one other recall over infection risks.

In August 2022, an outbreak in Northern Germany that affected 32 patients, six of whom died, was reportedly found to be connected to a reprocessed colonoscope.

In a field corrective action notice issued in October 2025, Olympus stated that since 2024, it had received two reports of death and five reports of serious injury from infection or “positive culture” potentially related to use of the TJF duodenoscope. The models mentioned in the notice included the Evis Exera III Duodenovideoscope (TJF-Q190V), Evis Lucera Elite Duodenovideoscope (TJF-Q290V) and Duodenovideoscope (TJF-Q170V).

Other Olympus scopes and accessories have also been recalled for non-infection-related injuries, including laser-compatible bronchoscopes that reportedly caused internal burns and a scope accessory called a single use distal cover that could “unexpectedly detach” from a duodenoscope during use, potentially causing burns, mucosal injury, tissue damage, bleeding, perforation or obstruction requiring immediate intervention. Olympus stated that it had received 79 complaints of the distal cover falling off within or outside patients, including 30 reports of serious injury.

Symptoms of an Infection After a Colonoscopy, Endoscopy or ERCP

Although it is normal to experience some discomfort after a colonoscopy, endoscopy or ERCP, it is important to watch out for symptoms of an infection, including fever and fatigue.

Check out the below pages to learn more about symptoms of infection after a colonoscopy, endoscopy or ERCP:

• Symptoms of Infection After a Colonoscopy
• Fever After a Colonoscopy: Causes and When to Worry
• ERCP Complications: Infection and Post-ERCP Pancreatitis

When a Scope Infection Turns into Sepsis

Sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection, can be a life-threatening condition, and it is important to be aware of the signs of sepsis after a colonoscopy or other scope procedure. These can include fever and chills, a rapid heartbeat, trouble breathing, confusion, pale or clammy skin, and severe weakness and fatigue. Learn more on the following page:

• Sepsis After a Colonoscopy: Warning Signs and Causes

Do You Qualify? Eligibility Criteria

You may be able to file an Olympus scope lawsuit if you or a loved one underwent an endoscopy, colonoscopy, duodenoscopy (ERCP) or bronchoscopy in 2015 or later and were diagnosed with or experienced any of the following complications within 90 days of the procedure:

• HIV
• Tuberculosis
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Organ damage/failure
• Perforation or internal injury
• Sepsis
• Death
• Other serious complications or injuries

If you’re not sure whether an Olympus scope was used during the procedure, an attorney will be able to request medical records on your behalf to find out what type of scope was used.

To get in touch and learn more about your eligibility for an Olympus scope infection lawsuit, fill out the form on this page.

What’s Involved in Filing an Olympus Scope Lawsuit?

If you decide to pursue an Olympus scope lawsuit, the attorney you hire will first need to gather information, including any available documentation, that could be relevant to your case.

This information may include:

• Medical records that detail the procedure, which Olympus scope was used, and when, where and by whom it was performed
• What kind of injury or infection was allegedly caused by the endoscope and how it has affected your or your loved one’s life
• When symptoms of the infection or injury first started to present and how long they persisted
• What treatment(s) were received, if any
• If filing on behalf of a deceased family member, when your family member passed away and what the cause of death was

Once your lawyer has sufficient information, they will draft a document known as a complaint. A complaint outlines who is filing the lawsuit (the plaintiff), the companies being sued (the defendants), the harm allegedly suffered by the plaintiff, and why they claim the defendants are legally responsible for that harm.

Your complaint will also include the names and contact details of your attorneys, the damages you are seeking and the court in which the document will be filed.

Your Olympus scope lawsuit may allege, for example, that:

• The defendants sold the endoscopes while fully aware of the defects and the harm those defects might cause
• The defendants did not provide sufficient instructions for preparing the endoscopes for safe use on the next patient
• The contamination, malfunctioning or breaking of the endoscope caused illness or injury during or after the procedure

Once the complaint is filed with the court, your Olympus scope lawsuit has officially begun. During your case, your attorney and the defendants’ attorneys will go back and forth to try to resolve the case.

Throughout this process, the attorneys may:

• File motions, briefs, responses, exhibits and other documents with the court
• Attend court hearings
• Exchange information in discovery
• Issue subpoenas
• Conduct depositions
• Work with experts in relevant fields, such as medicine

In the event that your lawsuit is neither settled nor dismissed, it will proceed to a jury trial, though it should be noted that courtroom trials are rare in civil cases such as these.

Additionally, in some instances of harmful medical devices, lawsuits may be transferred to one court before a single judge to help efficiently manage the litigation, ensure consistent rulings and save time and money for everyone involved. This kind of consolidated action is known as multidistrict litigation, which involves the court appointing a group of qualified attorneys to coordinate pre-trial proceedings and help resolve the case as a whole.

As multidistrict litigation proceeds, a handful of the lawsuits may be selected to proceed as “bellwether trials,” which are effectively test runs to see how a jury may rule. For example, if the defendants lose all or the majority of the bellwether trials, they may want to reach a global settlement to avoid the risk and uncertainty of a jury trial in the remaining lawsuits.

An Olympus scope MDL lawsuit has not been officially formed yet.

How Much Does an Olympus Scope Infection Lawyer Cost?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are handling Olympus endoscope lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, which means that they will only be paid if they win your case. In that event, their payment will be a percentage of your settlement or jury award.

What Could I Get from an Olympus Scope Lawsuit?

While there are no guarantees as to exactly what your lawsuit may be worth or how much you could recover, you may be able to seek compensation for damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Funeral expenses, in the event of death

Olympus Scope Lawsuit FAQs

How do I know if an Olympus scope was used in my procedure?

You probably won’t know; however, it should be noted that Olympus controls approximately 70 percent of the global gastrointestinal endoscope market. So, if you developed a serious infection after undergoing an endoscopy, colonoscopy, duodenoscopy or bronchoscopy, you may want to consult an attorney who can contact the facility where your procedure was performed and determine which device was used.  

Fill out the form on this page to get in touch.

Am I suing my doctor?

No. If you decide to file an Olympus scope lawsuit, you will be suing the maker of the device—not your doctor. Notably, scope lawsuits state that doctors rely on medical device manufacturers like Olympus to learn how to properly use their products.

With Olympus endoscopes specifically, it has been alleged that the cleaning protocols provided with the devices were not effective in removing all residual bodily fluids and organic debris. In other words, even if your doctor strictly complied with the cleaning instructions they received, the devices still may not have been appropriately sanitized and safe to use, according to the lawsuits. 

Is there an Olympus scope class action or MDL?

As of mid-2026, there is no Olympus scope MDL (multidistrict litigation) in place; however, it is not uncommon for multiple lawsuits involving the same product and injuries to be consolidated into an MDL to help save time and money for all parties involved. 

Additionally, most attorneys will not be handling Olympus endoscope lawsuits as class actions because they believe the injuries and other harm allegedly caused by the devices is severe enough to warrant individual lawsuits.

Class action lawsuits are typically filed to seek compensation on behalf of large groups of individuals who have each suffered the same relatively small loss, such as the cost of a falsely advertised food product. This is generally the only way for the recovery to not be outweighed or made moot by the costs of the lawsuit.

Do I qualify for an Olympus scope lawsuit?

If you or a family member experienced complications such as infection, internal injury, organ damage, sepsis, tuberculosis, HIV or death after undergoing an endoscopy, colonoscopy, duodenoscopy (ERCP) or bronchoscopy in 2015 or later, you may be eligible to file an Olympus scope lawsuit. Fill out the form on this page today to learn more.

Which Olympus scopes were recalled?

Several Olympus scopes and scope accessories have been recalled, including the TJF-Q180V duodenoscope, TJF-Q190V duodenoscope, several types of bronchoscopes and single use distal covers for duodenoscopes.

Can you get an infection from a colonoscopy or endoscopy?

Yes. Though rare, it is possible to get an infection from a colonoscopy or endoscopy. Lawsuits are alleging that the scopes used in these procedures can harbor germs and pathogens even when providers follow the provided cleaning protocols, presenting an infection risk for subsequent patients.

How could an endoscope cause an infection?

Lawsuits allege that Olympus endoscopes can pose an infection risk because the design of the devices can allow tissue and fluids from previous patients to become “trapped,” cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer to doctors are deficient/ineffective, and repeated use may damage device components in ways that allow bacteria to survive disinfection.

Endoscope devices, like those manufactured by Olympus, are designed to be used repeatedly in multiple procedures. After each use, they are to be cleaned and disinfected—which is also known as “reprocessing”—before being used on a new patient.

Allegations have surfaced that bodily fluids and organic debris can become trapped in the long narrow channels of the scopes and, for the duodenoscope, in the small crevices near the tip. The cleaning protocols provided with the scopes, Olympus scope lawsuits say, are not effective in removing such debris, meaning the next patient runs the risk of undergoing a procedure with a contaminated device and developing an infection—even if the facility followed the cleaning instructions to the letter. 

Furthermore, Olympus scope lawsuits have claimed that repetitive use of the devices can result in cracked lenses, degraded channel linings and degraded adhesives, which can allow bacteria to “hide” from chemical disinfectants.

What is a superbug or CRE infection?

A superbug is a type of bacteria, fungi, virus or parasite that is resistant to available treatment and therefore difficult to get rid of. Most superbugs (or multidrug-resistant microbes) are bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, and they often develop in hospital settings where antibiotics are frequently used.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a type of superbug and refers to a group of bacteria that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics called carbapenems. Some common types of Enterobacteriaceae are Salmonella, E. coli, Klebsiella and Shigella, but not all strains of these bacteria have developed antibiotic resistance.

A CRE infection may develop in many parts of the body, but they most commonly develop in the blood, urinary tract, lungs or abdomen. If a CRE infection remains untreated, it can spread throughout the body and cause complications such as organ failure.

Olympus Scope Lawsuit: How to Take Action

After you get in touch, an attorney or legal representative may reach out to you directly to ask you some questions and explain more about what’s involved with filing an Olympus scope lawsuit. It doesn’t cost anything to fill out the form or speak with someone, and you’re not obligated to take legal action after learning more about your options.

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