Elmiron–Drug Approved to Treat Pain Associated with Interstitial Cystitis–Linked to Blindness

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In the 1990s, Janssen Pharmaceuticals introduced what was then considered a groundbreaking drug to treat the pain associated with interstitial cystitis, or IC. Unfortunately, those taking Elmiron didn’t know that in doing so, they were running the risk of going blind.

IC is a condition that affects millions of Americans each year and is more prevalent in women. IT’s a chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, pain, and pelvic pain. Hundreds of thousands of IC sufferers understandably jumped at the chance to control that pain and have been using Elmiron—also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS)—for decades, requiring dosage increases over the years.

Research presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019 links that long-term use to ocular toxicity and irreversible vision damage.

They get put on these medications because it’s thought to have few side effects and few risks, and no one thinks about it again. And year after year, the number of pills they’re taking goes up and up.

Drs. Robin A. Vora, in an American Academy of Ophthalmology news release.

Elmiron causes pigmentary maculopathy, a condition that, according to the scientist researching it, is unique to Elmiron users. If you’re lucky enough to catch it in its early stages, the maculopathy damage may stop if you stop taking Elmiron. But, unfortunately, late stage maculopathy can lead to permanent vision loss. And at least one patient’s eye damage continued for years after stopping Elmiron.

These are the most common symptoms patients with pigmentary maculopathy have reported:

  • Areas of vision loss in the field of vision, paracentral scotoma
  • Difficult time adjusting to dim lighting or the dark
  • Having a hard time reading
  • Problems seeing objects that are close
  • Vision dimming

Lawsuits have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for failing to properly warn the public about the risk of pigmentary maculopathy and other vision problems. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits have alleged injuries including:

  • Blurred vision
  • Degenerative maculopathy
  • Halo vision
  • Macular retinopathy
  • Macular/pattern dystrophy
  • Maculopathy
  • Metamorphopsia
  • Pigmentary maculopathy
  • Reduced night vision
  • Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy
  • Retinopathy
  • Scotoma
  • Unilateral or bilateral blindness
  • Vision impairment
  • Vision loss

If you’ve taken Elmiron, you should seek an eye examination immediately and consult with your urologist on alternative treatment options. If you have been diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or are suffering from any of the above conditions and have taken Elmiron, contact a lawyer to discuss your options.

CLG Hits ADT with Two Federal Class-Action Lawsuits Over Employee’s Security Camera Snooping

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A few weeks ago, an angry mother contacted Carter Law Group about a deeply troubling call she received from her security provider, ADT.  ADT called our client because it had recently discovered, through the complaints of another customer, that an ADT employee had been using our client’s security cameras to watch her and her teenage daughter – watching them while they were doing the mundane tasks one does at home alone, but also watching them in their most vulnerable moments, their most intimate moments in the privacy of their home.

Needless to say, this mother was shocked, angry, and violated.  Did I mention she also works for the Department of Homeland Security? So, she was also rightfully worried about any security breaches of her work that might have occurred with the voyeurism.  Since that phone call, Heather and I have talked to numerous families who ADT has confessed a similar breach of trust and security.  Not to be flippant, but this ADT employee’s actions brings a whole new and scary meaning to ADT’s slogan, “Always There.”

But today, Carter Law Group, along with some of our trusted colleagues, punched back against ADT’s violations and gross negligence by filing two class actions in the Southern District of Florida, ADT’s home base.  One suit brings claims on behalf of people, many children, who were not part of the security contract with ADT, but whose privacy was violated.  The second lawsuit is on behalf of those who signed a contract for security with ADT and later learned those services were used to spy on them and their families. Links to both complaints are below.

The suit on behalf of these customers was filed separately because we expect ADT will try to enforce the arbitration clause buried in its adhesion contract.  As defenders of the 7th Amendment right of trial by jury, CLG has long fought against arbitration clauses. For the evils of arbitration clauses, please see these sources:

https://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/arbitration/state-fact-sheets/texas-arb.pdf

https://www.consumerreports.org/mandatory-binding-arbitration/forced-arbitration-clause-for-concern/

https://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers/arbitration

https://www.aclu.org/blog/womens-rights/womens-rights-workplace/its-time-end-forced-arbitration

I am proud to represent these mothers, children and families.  And I am proud to be part of the team that is taking on the giant that holds itself out as #1 in smart home security while allowing it’s employees to infiltrate and destroy the security of its customers.

Preddy v. ADT, LLC

Doty v. ADT, LLC