Olympus Scopes Attorney Addresses Lawsuits Alleging Bacterial Infections from Colonoscopy and Endoscopy Procedures
Robert King Law Firm Discusses Why Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, ERCP, and Other Scope Infection Claims are Rising After FDA Recalls and Safety Notices
ROCHESTER, NY, April 16, 2026:
More people are filing lawsuits related to reusable endoscopes made by Olympus, a medical device manufacturer. People filing lawsuits allege the scopes transmitted pathogens during procedures like colonoscopies, bronchocopies, endoscopies, uteroscopies, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs), and others. Many of these people developed serious infections, including so-called “superbug” infections.
Olympus’ reusable endoscopes and accessories have been the subject of multiple FDA recalls and safety notices. As more patients realize that their post-procedure infections might have been caused by a contaminated scope, they are looking to hold Olympus accountable. Olympus has about 70% market share in the global endoscope market, making it the predominant producer of endoscopes.
Robert King, founder of the Robert King Law Firm, which represents clients alleging harm from Olympus scopes, shares why lawsuits against Olympus have increased in recent months.”Some people who had an endoscopic procedure became sick with serious infections. Some of these folks ended up in hospitals for extensive treatment or even lost their lives. Patients and families are starting to connect the dots that contaminated endoscopes may be responsible.”
Millions of endoscopic procedures are performed in the U.S. every year. Endoscopes are used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions, as well as diseases in the lungs, bladder, uterus, pancreas, and other organs or joints. Any procedure that has a “-scopy” at the end of the word is typically performed with an endoscopic device. This device is inserted into the body and takes pictures or videos.
Over the past several years, Olympus’ scopes and accessories have been the subject of recalls, safety notices, and import bans, including a June 2025 important ban on certain Olympus devices made in Japan. Similarly, an endoscope accessory was recalled for sickening dozens and leading to deaths. From 2012 to 2015, Olympus scopes were linked to multiple superbug outbreaks in hospitals in the U.S. and Europe.
Robert King explains why these devices have been alleged to have caused so many infections. “Looking at the medical literature and recalls, it appears that these scopes contain small, complicated channels that can be very difficult to clean. In order to be properly disinfected before their next use, these devices need to be completely sanitized and dry out. Sometimes, these channels harbor moisture and bacteria that are not removed before the scope is used on the next patient.”
Not every patient who experiences an infection after an endoscopic procedure develops a serious infection. Similarly, not all post-procedure infections are caused by an improperly disinfected endoscope. However, if contamination did cause the infection, the burden of proof is on the patient. That is where an experienced medical device lawyer can step in.
“Lawyers involved in an endoscope infection lawsuit have to track down specific evidence to build their client’s case,” said King. “We can look at things like reprocessing forms used by medical providers to prove that they followed all disinfection protocols. If they did, and the patient still got sick, our job is to prove that the defective scope design put patients in harm’s way.”
Lawyers can also build a patient’s case by using an analysis of the pathogen that made them sick. If a specific drug-resistant bacterium was found to cause a patient’s infection, a lawyer can argue that type of bacteria has been commonly found in Olympus endoscopes and accessories. A lawyer will also analyze and present other important information to build a case against Olympus.
If you or a loved one experienced an infection after an endoscopic procedure, an experienced medical device lawyer can advise you on potential legal options and how to collect evidence to support your case. Robert King Law Firm will continue to represent plaintiffs who allege that an Olympus scope caused them to develop a serious infection or sepsis.
About Robert King Law Firm
Robert King Law Firm is a national law firm focused on complex litigation involving personal injuries inflicted by everyday products. The firm represents individuals and families in high-stakes cases involving corporate negligence, defective drug and device designs, and product liability.
For further information or comments, contact Robert King Law Firm at (585) 496-2648.
