The contact lens solution Opti-Free Replenish is sold by Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Although it is marketed as “sterile,” some patients have been diagnosed with S. maltophilia.
What You Can Do & How an Opti-Free Replenish Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Opti-Free Replenish induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with an eye infection, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Class Action Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Overview
S. maltophilia is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that does not often cause infections, but when it does, the infection is very difficult to treat. Nearly all antibiotics are ineffective, including “last-resort” carbapenem antibiotics.
Unfortunately, S. maltophilia can survive in ultrapure water — including contact lens solutions. Several studies have detected this bacteria in contact lens solutions.
Infections in the eye can be very serious, because the longer it takes for treatment to be effective, the higher the risk of permanent eye damage, vision loss, and blindness.
According to one study, S. maltophilia can cause a number of severe eye infections:
- Conjunctivitis: Infection of the protective membrane that protects the whites of the eyes and eyelid.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea (transparent covering of the iris and pupil)
- Orbital cellulitis: Tissues around the eye become infected.
- Endophthalmitis: Infection inside the globe of the eye, which can lead to loss of the eyeball itself.
What is the problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, our attorneys are filing individual lawsuits as opposed to an Opti-Free Replenish class action so we can focus on representing individuals with the most severe injuries.
About Class Actions
There are advantages and disadvantages to class actions. They are beneficial when a large number of people are seeking compensation for the same legal claim, but the potential financial recovery is less than the cost of filing an individual lawsuit — for example, when thousands of people want a refund for buying a defective product.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
There are a number of disadvantages of a class action for people with very severe injuries. Their case could be lumped together with cases involving less-serious injuries. Members of a class action may have to accept a “low-ball” settlement, watch attorneys take a huge cut of the payout, and divide the rest among everyone in the class action.
Our attorneys file individual lawsuits so we can maximize the financial recovery for people who were severely injuries or disabled by injuries like infections, vision loss, and blindness. There is no excuse for marketing a product as “sterile” when in fact it contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
If you were injured by Opti-Free Replenish, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, permanent disability, decreased quality of life, and more. We can help.
Do I have an Opti-Free Replenish Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Opti-Free Replenish induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with an eye infection, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Class Action Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
