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Suits over AMO contact lens solution move forward
Lawyers USA
January 5, 2009
About 150 lawsuits are moving forward alleging that Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solution causes a nasty eye infection that can require corneal transplants and in some cases result in blindness. The majority of cases have been filed in a coordinated proceeding in state court in Orange County, Calif., where defendants Allergan and Advanced Medical Optics Inc. are headquartered. In one of the first bellweather cases, scheduled for trial on May 4, 2009, 34 year-old plaintiff Kellie Bataglia is alleging that she contracted an acanthamoeba keratitis infection after using the all-in-one Complete MoisturePlus product.
Despite two corneal transplants, Bataglia has not completely regained her vision and has a persistent infection that still requires round-the-clock treatment, according to her attorney, Wendy Fleishman of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein in New York. Her damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. She is also seeking punitive damages, Fleishman added.
The product was recalled in May 2007. The lawsuits allege a number of defects in the design, marketing and testing of the contact lens product.