Olympus Scopes
Seeking Justice for Injuries Caused by Faulty Olympus Devices
Olympus endoscopes, duodenoscopes, and related accessories are the subject of a growing number of lawsuits alleging that internal components can wear down, detach, or snap during use, causing organ perforation, internal bleeding, and other serious injuries.
Cornell & Greene is reviewing cases nationwide.
What is an Olympus Scope?
Olympus endoscopes are flexible, camera-equipped instruments doctors use to examine and treat the inside of the body without open surgery. They're threaded through natural openings or small incisions to reach the digestive tract, lungs, and other organs, guided by a bending tip and controlled by internal wires and mechanical parts.
Because these devices are reused across many procedures, they undergo frequent handling, disassembly, and cleaning. Certain models (including duodenoscopes used for ERCP procedures and single-use accessories like aspiration needles) have components that can wear down, become difficult to inspect, or fail after repeated use.
Why Olympus Scopes are Being Sued
Lawsuits allege that specific Olympus devices and components were defectively designed or manufactured in ways that made them prone to breaking apart during a procedure.
Claims point to parts such as the elevator wire and distal tip on certain duodenoscope models, and the internal hypotube on aspiration needles used in lung biopsies, as failure points that can snap, detach, or eject while inside the patient.
Plaintiffs argue that Olympus knew or should have known about these mechanical weaknesses through its own testing, field reports, and prior recalls and failed to adequately redesign the devices or warn hospitals and physicians of the risk before continuing to sell them for repeated, high-volume use.
Complications Linked to Olympus Scope Failures
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Organ Perforation
A broken or exposed component tears through the wall of an organ during a procedure.Emergency surgical repair
Internal bleeding requiring transfusion
Extended hospitalization
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Internal Bleeding
Damage to tissue or blood vessels that isn't always visible right away.Sudden drop in blood pressure
Abdominal or chest pain after the procedure
Need for urgent intervention
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Sepsis
Bacteria entering the body through a perforation, injury, or a contaminated device.Fever, chills, and rapid heart rate
Hospitalization for IV antibiotics
Septic shock in severe cases
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Obstruction
In bronchoscopy and lung biopsy procedures, a broken or ejected component can lodge in the airway.Difficulty breathing during or after the procedure
Emergency retrieval procedure
Lasting lung or airway damage
Eligibility and Compensation
You may be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one:
Underwent a procedure such as an ERCP, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, or lung biopsy using an Olympus scope or accessory
Experienced organ perforation, internal bleeding, or an airway injury linked to a device malfunction during the procedure
Developed a serious infection or sepsis connected to an Olympus device
Were treated with a device later subject to an FDA recall or safety notice, including ViziShot 2 FLEX needles or TJF-series duodenoscopes
Lost a loved one after complications tied to an Olympus scope procedure
Compensation in these cases may account for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages where applicable.
Contact Us Today
Cornell & Greene, PLLC represents patients and families nationwide in medical device litigation, including leadership roles in several active MDLs. Consultations are free, confidential, and come with no obligation.
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