The pharmaceutical company, Global Pharma Healthcare, has recalled its over-the-counter eye drop product EzriCare Artificial Tears because of possible contamination that can lead to severe infections. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has also warned consumers of EzriCare Artificial Tears to discontinue their product use to prevent exposure to bacteria that can cause antibiotic-resistant infections.
Consumers who have been harmed by these artificial tears are bringing EzriCare lawsuits seeking compensation for the financial losses they have suffered as a result of using this product. Although investigations continue, the legal theory in most cases is that the product was infected with bacteria during the manufacturing process.
Under US tort law, manufacturers and retailers are strictly liable for harm caused by defectively manufactured products. This means injured plaintiffs will not have to prove negligence on the part of the eye drop makers or retailers that may include major companies like Walmart and Amazon.
As of June 2023, the CDC has identified 81 patients suffering infections associated with EzriCare over-the-counter eye drops across 18 states. Sadly, four deaths have also been reported from severe infections related to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.
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What are EzriCare Artificial Tears?
EzriCare Artificial Tears is an over-the-counter eye drop used to treat dry eyes caused by insufficient tear production. This non-prescription eye drop contains carboxymethylcellulose sodium, a lubricating ingredient used in most over-the-counter eye drops, which moisturizes the eyes and provides a barrier to prevent further irritation.
These preservative-free eye drops have been relieving dry eye symptoms such as itching, burning, and light sensitivity for years. They have helped many people who require eye lubrication due to allergies, prolonged computer usage, or medication that can cause dry eyes.
However, recent developments have indicated that EzriCare Artificial Tears are not as safe as once thought. Recent studies have detected the presence of bacteria in the eye drops which can cause antibiotic-resistant infections resulting in vision loss or even death.
Specifically, FDA safety inspectors issued a report that found numerous sterilization problems at the manufacturing plant that produced the drops in question that might have led to the reported users’ infections. The report revealed an ineffective filtration process and lack of airflow in the aseptic cleaning room that may have led to bacterial growth.
Who is Behind EzriCare Artificial Tears?
Like many over-the-counter medications and solutions, the EzriCare Artificial Tears product are sold under the EzriCare name brand, but that company does not manufacture the product. In fact, EzriCare Artificial Tears were created by Aru Pharma, Inc. and manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare, PVT LTD located in India.
The CDC, Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local health departments are collaborating on an investigation into EzriCare Artificial Tears and infections caused by the dangerous bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This type of bacteria can cause infection in various parts of the human body, not just the area that first came into contact with the bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is extremely dangerous because it can evolve over time to become antibiotic resistant and thus very difficult or impossible to treat with medications.
If you have used EzriCare Artificial Tears and developed a serious infection, you may be eligible to bring an EzriCare lawsuit to recover compensation for your legal damages. To learn more, contact an EzriCare product liability attorney today.
EzriCare Artificial Tears Recalled After Eye Infection Link Was Discovered
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned consumers about the danger of EzriCare Artificial Tears on January 20th, 2023, citing concerns over the eye drops’ connection to eye and bloodstream infections. The agency began investigating EzriCare Artificial Tears after 55 cases of eye infections in twelve states were connected to using the Global Pharma Healthcare product.
The CDC urged consumers to halt using these products until their joint investigation with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and local and state health departments determined whether the EzriCare Artificial Tears caused these infections.
In February, Global Pharma Healthcare finally issued a voluntary recall of all unexpired EzriCare Artificial Tears products. The FDA suggested this recall while they investigate possible current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) violations by Global Pharma Healthcare, including formulation issues, lack of necessary microbial testing, and absence of protocols regarding tamper-evident packaging.
EzriCare Artificial Tears Contaminated by Bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
The FDA and CDC’s joint investigation into EzriCare Artificial Tears has to do with the belief that the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has contaminated the eye drop product. This is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, such as in water or soil. It is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can invade the body and cause infections of the blood, lungs, or other parts of the body.
Some people who have suffered from eye infections after the use of artificial tears have tested positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria thrives in liquid, which is why it can cause eye infections that can result in vision loss or death.
Why are EzriCare Artificial Tears Infections Antibiotic Resistant?
The outbreak strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in EzriCare Artificial Tears, (scientifically known as carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase or VIM-GES-CRPA), has never been reported in the United States before this year. What makes this bacterial strain so dangerous is that it can resist antibiotics, making it hard to treat the eye infections and other related infections people have been suffering after using these eye drops.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacteria, meaning it has an outer membrane that antibiotics cannot penetrate. When antibiotics don’t work, doctors normally use carbapenems, a type of drug used to treat severe infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is also resistant to carbapenems, making treatment of eye infections caused by EzriCare Artificial Tears a difficult task for healthcare professionals.
In 2017 alone, Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused more than 27,000 deaths among hospital patients in the United States. The bacterial outbreak in users of EzriCare Artificial Tears began in May 2022 and first occurred in these 12 states:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Because EzriCare lawsuits involve complicated medical issues and require scientific proof to be successful, injured eye drop users should not attempt to bring a claim without the assistance of a skilled EzriCare lawyer. If you are struggling to treat a serious infection after using EzriCare Artificial Tears, you need to focus on your healthcare and recovery, not preparing and filing legal documents. Let one of our dedicated product liability lawyers fight for you.
What Health Issues are Caused by EzriCare Artificial Tears?
Using EzriCare Artificial Tears can expose you to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause severe bacterial infections. These infections can have a long-lasting impact on your health and standard of living, along with affecting your family relationships and many other aspects of your daily life.
There have already been reports of vision loss and death as a result of eye infections suffered by users of EzriCare Artificial Tears. Other serious health complications can arise from bacterial infections that may irreparably damage your overall health and cause significant and long-lasting harm.
Some of the health issues bacterial infections can cause after using EzriCare Artificial Tears include:
- Organ failure
- Blindness
- Brain damage
- Sepsis
- Tissue damage
Some of the symptoms of an initial eye infection after using artificial tears may include:
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness in the eye or eyelid
- Unusual discharge from the eye.
If you use EzriCare Artificial Tears and experience these symptoms, it’s essential to see a doctor to treat your infection as soon as possible before things get much worse. Once you have a treatment plan in place, your next step is finding the best product liability lawyer to discuss your case.
Potential Legal Damages That May Be Caused by EzriCare Artificial Tears
If you suffer bacterial infections from using EzriCare Artificial Tears, you have the right to pursue compensation for your legal damages. If your loved one died from an infection or other health issue related to using EzriCare eye drops, you may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim to recover your losses.
With the assistance of a skilled product liability lawyer who is familiar with EzriCare lawsuits, you can pursue compensation for your legal damages. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may request economic damages, which are the monetary losses you have suffered and will suffer as a result of your severe health issues. You may also seek non-economic damages, which are intangible losses that reflect how your quality of life was changed due to the bacterial infection caused by using EzriCare products.
Some of the damages you could request for a bacterial infection caused by EzriCare Artificial Tears include:
- Medical expenses - current and future
- Lost wages - current and future
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of society
- Funeral and burial costs for a loved one who died as a result of infection.
How Much is Your Potential EzriCare Lawsuit Worth?
There is no way to place a specific dollar value on general personal injury claims. Each case is different, each injury victim suffers different medical and financial problems, and the future prognosis can vary from person to person. EzriCare lawsuit claims involving permanent vision impairment could potentially be worth anywhere between a couple hundred thousand dollars to over a million dollars depending on the circumstances.
Based on CDC reports, some of the infections caused by EzriCare eye drops have caused serious harm to consumers. We know at least four people have died and many more have required hospitalization to treat their antibiotic-resistant infections. Some artificial tear users also suffered severe eye infections that led to permanent vision problems including blindness.
When placing a value on an EzriCare lawsuit claim, the court will consider how serious the plaintiff’s medical concerns are, and how much their life has been impacted as a result of the harm caused by the eye drops. At this point of the litigation, we can only speculate about each case’s worth. To get a better understanding of what your case may be worth, turn to a dedicated product liability lawyer for answers.
If You Are an EzriCare Artificial Tears User, What Should You Do Next?
If you use EzriCare Artificial Tears, you should prepare for the likelihood that you could suffer a bacterial infection and face extensive medical issues. If you have been diagnosed with an infection, you should also consider partnering with a product liability lawyer to file an EzriCare lawsuit to pursue compensatory damages.
An experienced defective product lawyer can help you gather the necessary information and evidence to support your claim. Make sure you keep a record of your EzriCare Artificial Tears use by keeping any containers with product labels, as well as any receipts of purchase or medical records reflecting your use of the product.
You should also schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional if you experience any signs of bacterial infection and follow through with all recommended medical advice. As mentioned above, treatment for infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be challenging, so starting the process early is essential.
Corporate defendants in product liability lawsuits, such as Global Pharma Healthcare, will try to devalue your case by accusing you of negligence, such as failing to obtain medical treatment when needed. Seeing a healthcare provider early in the process shows that you were proactive in treating your severe injury.
Contact an EzriCare Lawsuit Lawyer to Help Protect Your Rights
Product liability lawsuits are complex legal matters. Big manufacturers maintain a team of defense lawyers that will do whatever is needed to reduce or eliminate dangerous product claims. To fight these corporate giants, you need an experienced personal injury law firm in your corner.
While EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuits have just started, we expect many people who suffered bacterial infections from the product to bring product liability claims and pursue compensation for their related damages. To protect your rights, speak to an EzriCare injury lawyer as early in the process as you can. This will allow them to explain your rights, build a legal strategy for future litigation, and collect the necessary evidence to help prove your case.
Call us today at 866-535-9515 or complete our simple online contact form for a free consultation.