In 2022, there was an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant eye infections across the United States, with over 80 cases of severe eye infections causing vision loss and death across eighteen states. The root cause of these eye infections is the contamination of artificial tears products by a dangerous bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The most prominent brand of artificial tears products mentioned by eye infection victims is EzriCare Artificial Tears.
This over-the-counter eye drop product helps fight dry eye symptoms but was contaminated by a harmful bacteria that can expose consumers to significant health problems. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) found that sterility issues at manufacturing plants could have led to the contamination. The first consumer class action lawsuit to hold Global Pharma Healthcare, the manufacturer of EzriCare Artificial Tears, accountable for their negligence was filed in federal court in February 2023.
EzriCare Artificial Tears Can Cause Antibiotic-Resistant Eye Infections
After an outbreak of eye infections, many people filed product liability lawsuits because of EzriCare Artificial Tears’ role in exposing consumers to dangerous bacteria. EzriCare Artificial Tears is a popular over-the-counter brand of eye drops manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare. The preservative-free eye drops help soothe the symptoms of dry eyes.
However, this artificial tears product has been contaminated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This gram-negative bacteria causes infections that resist antibiotics. Some EzriCare Artificial Tears consumers exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa through the product have experienced severe bacterial eye infections that have caused vision loss and, in some cases, death.
Consumer Class Action Regarding EzriCare Artificial Tears Filed in February
In January 2023, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned consumers to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears because the product can expose them to the risk of suffering an antibiotic-resistant eye infection. Richard Mosley, an EzriCare Artificial Tears consumer in Kentucky, filed the first EzriCare Artificial Tears consumer class action in February 2023.
His complaint concerned Global Pharma Healthcare’s failure to adhere to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. Failing to follow these regulations led to the product’s bacterial contamination, exposing consumers to damages and health risks. Some regulations they failed to follow include adequate microbial testing, protocols for identifying tamper-evident packaging, and using preservatives in multi-use bottles.
How Can Eye Infections From EzriCare Artificial Tears Affect Someone?
People filed personal injury lawsuits to hold Global Pharma Healthcare accountable for damages caused by their dangerous product. EzriCare Artificial Tears can expose consumers to vision loss and possibly death. Those that experience vision loss can experience economic damages. They will have to pay for expensive medical costs, as they pursue avenues to heal their eye infections. Victims will also need time off work or could be prevented from returning to their job due to vision loss, leading to wage-based losses.
EzriCare Artificial Tears eye infection victims can also experience non-economic damages. These are losses that have to do with their reduced quality of life. They can experience changes in their life because of vision loss, leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues. Some non-economic damages that can affect their life include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Global Pharma Healthcare Can Be Held Liable for Damages
Global Pharma Healthcare was negligent in their manufacturing of EzriCare Artificial Tears. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) sent federal inspectors to a manufacturing plant in India and found the facility had sterility issues. They failed to keep a clean, sterile working environment, which could have led to the bacterial contamination of their eye drop product.
Their negligent manufacturing of EzriCare Artificial Tears led to exposing consumers to damages caused by eye infections. Victims of bacterial eye infections caused by EzriCare Artificial Tears can file a product liability lawsuit to hold the manufacturer accountable for exposing them to health risks.
Can You File an EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit?
Richard Mosley was not the only person to file an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit. Those living with antibiotic-resistant eye infections due to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears can file a product liability lawsuit to pursue compensatory damages.
To file an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit, you must be able to prove that you used the product and suffered an eye infection as a result. EzriCare Artificial Tears users should keep receipts and empty bottles of the product to prove they used it. They can also use their medical records and testimony from their doctors to prove they suffered a severe eye infection.
Hiring a Product Liability Lawyer for Help With Your EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit
Proving an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit can be much more difficult than it seems. While you may have evidence to help prove your case, the at-fault party’s insurance company can employ many tactics to deny, delay, or devalue your settlement. Their goal is to limit your settlement to keep their profits up, which they could be successful at if you lack the experience to know how to combat these attempts to lower your settlement.
You should hire a product liability lawyer to recover fair compensation for your EzriCare Artificial Tears eye infection damages. They have experience handling these types of lawsuits and will know how to handle settlement negotiations best. They can also help you calculate the cost of your damage,s file the necessary paperwork, gather tangible evidence, and represent you in court.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit
At The Russo Firm, our product liability lawyers can use their vast experience to help you pursue compensation through an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit. Over decades of helping dangerous product victims, they have developed strategies and expertise that can help put you in the best position to recover compensatory damages.
Our experienced product liability attorneys can constantly contact you and represent your interests in settlement negotiations and court hearings. Contact us for a free EzriCare Artificial Tears eye infection case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
