Do you qualify for an endoscope infection lawsuit?

Patients who developed a serious infection after a colonoscopy or endoscopy may have legal options.

If you or a loved one suffered an infection, sepsis or hospitalization following a colonoscopy or endoscopy, you may qualify for an endoscope infection lawsuit investigation.

What to know about the endoscope infection lawsuit

• Core Issue: Some endoscopes contain complex components and hard-to-reach areas that may make complete disinfection difficult, even when proper cleaning procedures are followed. As a result, harmful bacteria can remain on the device and potentially spread infections from one patient to another.

• Who it Affects: Patients who underwent a colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy or another endoscopic procedure within the past 10 years and later developed a serious infection, sepsis or another complication requiring medical treatment.

• Harm/Impact: Patients exposed to contaminated endoscopes may require additional medical treatment and may suffer long-term health complications. In some instances, these infections may be life-threatening.  

• Legal Status: Attorneys are currently investigating colonoscopy infection claims. 

• Take Action: If you developed a serious infection following a colonoscopy, endoscopy or another scope procedure, complete the confidential form on this page to find out whether you may qualify to pursue an endoscopy lawsuit.

What is the endoscope infection lawsuit about?

Reusable endoscopes — including colonoscopes and duodenoscopes manufactured by Olympus and FUJIFILM — must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each use through a process known as reprocessing. If reprocessing is incomplete or ineffective, harmful bacteria may remain on the device and potentially be transferred to other patients.

These endoscopy lawsuits allege that:

• Certain endoscopes contain design features that make them difficult to fully clean and disinfect between procedures.
• Bacteria and other contaminants may remain on these reprocessed devices and be transmitted from one patient to another.
• Patients exposed to contaminated endoscopes have developed serious infections, sepsis and other potentially life-threatening complications.

Concerns about contamination in certain FUJIFILM and Olympus endoscopes have led to recalls, safety alerts and legal actions. Patients who developed serious infections may have options.

Case updates

Legal status as of June 2026

• March 2026: Health Canada recalled specific Olympus endoscope components after determining they were incompatible with some automated reprocessing systems. Regulators warned the issue could interfere with proper cleaning and increase the risk of patient-to-patient contamination.
• October 2025: Olympus issued an Urgent Field Safety Notice covering several endoscope models, including certain duodenoscopes. The action followed reports of positive bacterial cultures and infections associated with the devices.
• June 2025: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed import restrictions on dozens of medical scopes manufactured in Japan, citing concerns related to manufacturing practices and quality control systems.
• July 2017: FUJIFILM initiated a voluntary recall of its ED-530XT duodenoscope amid concerns that certain design features could make the device more difficult to thoroughly clean and disinfect between uses.
• December 2015: The FDA announced a recall for FUJIFILM ED-450XL5 endoscopes after reports linked the device to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Updated cleaning and disinfection instructions were issued to address the risks.

This page was last reviewed and updated in June 2026 to reflect the latest case developments.

How contaminated endoscopes can cause harm

A serious infection following a colonoscopy, endoscopy or another scope procedure can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. In addition to requiring medical treatment, some patients face ongoing physical, emotional and financial challenges long after the initial infection has resolved.

• Hospitalization and Additional Medical Treatment: Serious infections may require emergency medical care, hospitalization, IV antibiotics, follow-up appointments and other treatment. In severe cases, patients may require intensive care or additional procedures to address complications.
• Long-Term Health Consequences: Some patients experience lasting health complications after a serious infection or sepsis, including organ damage, chronic health problems, reduced mobility and a diminished quality of life.
• Financial Harm: Medical bills, follow-up treatment, prescription costs and time away from work can create a significant financial burden for patients and their families. 

Patients who suffer serious complications after an endoscopic procedure may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other related damages.

How to pursue an endoscope infection lawsuit

If you or a loved one developed a serious infection after an endoscopic procedure, you may have legal options.

To get started, complete the confidential form on this page. After your information is reviewed, a legal professional may contact you to discuss your potential claim and determine whether you meet the criteria for an endoscopy lawsuit.

There is no obligation to move forward, and submitting the form does not require you to file a colonoscopy lawsuit.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.