Eye drops are generally considered safe when used in moderation. Tens of millions of people use eye drops annually to relieve dry eyes and irritation. However, the FDA and CDC have urged individuals to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops. The agencies warned the public that these eye drops might lead to infections that can cause injury and death. If these eye drops harmed you or a loved one, an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyer can help you seek justice.
The Lake Law Firm is currently accepting EzriCare Artificial Tears claims on behalf of individuals injured by these eye drops. Reports have potentially linked these artificial tears to permanent vision loss, hospitalization, and even death.
EzriCare Artificial eye drops are a type of over-the-counter eye lubricant. Individuals could dispense one or two drops in the affected eye to help with dry eyes and irritation. The product labeling does advise consumers that these products are for external use only.
Global Pharma Healthcare PVT Limited, a pharmaceutical company based in India, manufactures the EzriCare Artificial eye drops. EzriCare and Delsam Pharma are the distributors of Global Pharma’s artificial tears in the U.S.
In late January 2023, the CDC began investigating reports of health problems related to over-the-counter eye drops. The agency, alongside several state and local health departments, was looking into a multistate outbreak of a rare but dangerous bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A common thread between all infections was patients reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops. By January 31, the CDC was aware of 55 patients infected in 12 states linked to EzriCare Artificial Tears.
On February 1, the CDC released a health advisory to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops. The FDA also advised patients not to purchase or use these eye drops due to potential bacterial contamination.
On February 2, 2023, Global Pharma Healthcare recalled all lots of EzriCare Artificial Tears lubricant eye drops. The company notified its U.S. distributors, Aru Pharma Inc. and Delsam Pharma about this recall. It also requested wholesalers, retailers, and customers to stop using the recalled product immediately.
The recall came after multiple reports of injuries caused by an aggressive bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. CDC testing confirmed this dangerous bacteria in multiple opened EzriCare Artificial Tears bottles. An outbreak of this strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has never been seen before in the United States.
At the time of its announcement, the CDC was still investigating what caused this bacteria in the bottles. The bacteria could have been introduced during the manufacturing process. Another theory is EzriCare Artificial Tears are preservative-free and in multi-use bottles, which can lead to bacterial growth.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa naturally occurs in the environment and can be found in soil and water. However, this bacteria can cause severe infections in the blood, lungs, and other areas of the body. EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops have allegedly caused:
An EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyer can help if you have experienced injuries from these eye drops. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are notoriously difficult to treat. This bacteria requires usually requires extensive medical intervention and monitoring. Compensation recovered through an EzriCare Artificial Tears claim can cover medical expenses and the physical and emotional suffering you endured.
You should seek medical attention if you used EzriCare Artificial Tears and experience the following symptoms:
Once you have received proper medical care for your injuries, contact The Lake Law Firm to learn about your options for legal recourse. An EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyer can walk you through the process of filing a claim at no cost to you.
The FDA knew of at least 55 individuals severely harmed by these eye drops between May 2022 to January 2022. These critical eye infections have allegedly caused permanent blindness and even one death from a bloodstream infection. In its warning, the FDA said that Global Pharma Healthcare violated current good manufacturing practices. These violations include:
Yes, individuals have already filed EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuits.
On February 4, a man filed a class action lawsuit against Global Pharma Healthcare on behalf of all who purchased EzriCare Artificial Tears. The EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit alleges the company advertised the eye drops as safe despite not conducting microbial testing. Plaintiffs also argue the company put consumers’ lives at risk by not using a preservative.
Teresa Phillips filed the first EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops lawsuit citing an eye infection injury on February 9, 2023. Phillips used EzriCare Artificial Tears and later tested positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. She tried several antibiotic treatments to no avail. Her lawsuit alleges she continues to suffer eye problems and even underwent surgery.
As more news and information comes to light about the eye drops recall, EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyers expect more lawsuits to follow.
An EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyer from The Lake Law Firm can assist you if:
The Lake Law Firm’s capable staff and attorneys are on standby to speak with you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you were injured after using EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops.
Lawsuit deadlines vary from case to case.
Your state’s statute of limitations, the date of your injury, or when you learned of your injury can all influence the deadline to file your EzriCare Artificial Tears claim.
It is best to contact an attorney immediately if you suspect that EzriCare Artificial Tears injured you. The Lake Law Firm will ensure that you don’t miss the filing deadline for your claim.
Have you or a loved one suffered injuries after using EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops? You may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Since these claims are relatively new, there is no EzriCare Artificial Tears settlement or verdict at this time. However, we could see substantial settlement amounts due to the severity of the injuries reported. That said, the average payout will depend on many factors.
Your type of injury, the extent of your damages, and more can influence how much you collect in an EzriCare Artificial Tears settlement or verdict. Damage to or loss of your sense of sight is a life-changing impairment. Therefore, EzriCare Artificial Tears claims could produce large settlements and verdicts.
Contact The Lake Law Firm today for a free case evaluation to learn how much your case might be worth.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. An EzriCare Artificial Tears lawyer will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.