2023 FDA Eye Drop Recall: Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Injured?
Consumers should be able to trust that any products they purchase are safe for use when used as directed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews many products in the United States to verify their safety. Despite strict FDA guidelines and consumer protection laws, defective products regularly make their way to the market.
In 2023, the FDA issued an eye drop recall that included 26 over-the-counter eye drop products. Unfortunately, by the time a recall is issued, products have often already been used by numerous people. Here, product liability lawyer Hardin Ramey, who serves the Dallas, TX, area discusses the eye drop recall and whether consumers can file a lawsuit if they were injured by the recalled products.
Which Eye Drops Were Recalled?
In October 2023, the FDA issued a warning to consumers not to purchase or use 26 over-the-counter eye drop products. The products were marketed under several brands, including:
- CVS Health
- Leader (Cardinal Health)
- Rugby (Cardinal Health)
- Rite Aid
- Target Up & Up
- Velocity Pharma
The FDA later updated the list to include the Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop sold by Walmart. Following the FDA warning, Harvard Drug Group LLC initiated a voluntary recall of two lots of Rugby Laboratory brand eye drops. Cardinal Health Inc. and Kilitch Healthcare India Limited also issued voluntary recalls for some of their eye drop products.
Why Were the Eye Drops Recalled?
The FDA initially issued the eye drop recall after agency investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility. Eye drops are intended to be sterile, but an environmental sampling of critical drug production areas tested positive for bacteria. The FDA determined the affected eye drops posed a potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness.
Symptoms of Eye Infection
Consumers who used eye drops included in the recall should be aware of potential eye infection symptoms, which may include:
- Eye pain
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Discharge from the eye (especially discharge that is yellow, green, or bloody)
- Increased redness in the eyes or around the eyelids
- Fever
- Blurry vision or vision loss
Any eye infection symptoms should be reported to an eye doctor as soon as possible so the condition can be diagnosed and treated before the damage worsens.
Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Injured By Recalled Eye Drops?
Individuals injured by recalled eye drops may wonder about their legal right to financial compensation for related economic and non-economic losses. Each situation is unique, but consumers generally have the right to file a defective product lawsuit against manufacturers, distributors, or retailers who are responsible for putting out unsafe or harmful products.
Attorney Ramey can work with consumers in the Dallas area to prove that an eye infection was the direct result of recalled eye drops and gather evidence necessary to establish liability. Depending on each of our client’s losses, they may be due compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Contact Us
If you believe that you were injured by recalled eye drops, attorney Hardin Ramey can help you determine your best course of legal action. To discuss the details of your case, contact our Dallas law firm online and request a consultation at your earliest convenience.
