Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuit

Get Justice for an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis With Our Personal Injury Attorneys

Ulcerative colitis lawsuits hold drug manufacturers and other organizations accountable for the serious health risks imposed by certain medications and PFAS, a forever chemical. If you suffered from ulcerative colitis or other serious health problems after PFAS exposure or using certain drugs, we can help you secure financial compensation. Contact our PFAS lawsuit attorneys today for a free consultation about your legal options. 

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that occurs when part of your bowel is swollen and inflamed. It is caused by your immune system attacking healthy cells. Generally, it starts near the rectum and moves up the digestive tract until the entire colon is impacted. 

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include stomach pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It can also result in osteoporosis, joint pain, and liver issues. People with UC are at an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly bowel cancer. 

The Impact of Developed Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Patients’ Lives

Ulcerative colitis can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. The disease can be unpredictable, with flare-ups occurring after a period of remission. Patients may need to adjust their diet, plan their day around symptoms, and undergo regular testing to monitor whether the disease has progressed. 

UC can be very painful, especially if the person suffers severe complications like bowel perforation. The Centers for Disease Control notes that the treatment process can result in depression and anxiety, while the drugs used to reduce inflammation can take a significant toll on a person’s body. 

Drugs Potentially Linked to Ulcerative Colitis

A number of drugs are associated with a higher risk of UC, including the following.

Isotretinoin: Previously known as Accutane, the use of this acne medication has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease. Isotretinoin may also cause other issues, such as thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. 

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These over-the-counter pain relievers can exacerbate or worsen UC symptoms because they injure the mucus tissue that protects the bowel lining. 

Antibiotics: Extensive antibiotic use has been linked to developing IBD, though the exact mechanism is not yet known. Some antibiotics can also be used to treat bacterial overgrowth due to UC. 

Other Medications: Oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and drugs like rituximab have been implicated in causing or worsening UC. 

There is also a strong PFAS-ulcerative colitis connection. PFAS chemicals are a class of toxic chemicals that have been used in a variety of consumer products. 

One of these is aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam product commonly used by military bases and local fire departments. Exposure to PFAS can cause various health risks, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, and testicular cancer. PFAS contamination is widespread because it is a forever chemical that leaches into groundwater, putting millions at risk of adverse health effects. 

Medical and Scientific Evidence

Medical literature demonstrates that ulcerative colitis can result from exposure to a number of different chemicals. One of the strongest connections is exposure to PFAS, which has triggered thousands of PFAS contamination lawsuits. However, other drugs and chemicals can also pose potential health risks. 

Case Studies and Case Reports

The risk of colitis associated with NSAIDs has been studied since the 1990s. An old case report explored this link in four patients diagnosed with colitis after extensive NSAID usage, determining that there was a strong correlation.

In one case study, a healthy young man taking isotretinoin for acne developed gastrointestinal issues and was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Another case study found that isotretinoin exacerbated pre-existing ulcerative colitis. 

There has also been significant research into PFAS cases. Research by the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation found that high PFAS contamination in drinking water had a strong association with developing ulcerative colitis, but not Crohn’s disease. 

Epidemiological Studies

A population-based cohort study determined that there was a positive association between antibiotic use and ulcerative colitis, particularly in those above age 40. In one literature review of 12 studies representing over 300,000 participants, researchers found a link between oral contraceptive use and ulcerative colitis. 

Research into PFAS-related health risks has been ongoing. One study found that approximately 6 million Americans are at risk of exposure above the PFAS regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency due to contaminated drinking water. 

A cohort study of 32,000 individuals found that people exposed to high levels of PFOA, one type of PFAS chemical, developed ulcerative colitis at a higher rate than those who were not exposed to these levels. A different study found a positive link between PFAS chemicals and ulcerative colitis that could be identified at least 10 years before diagnosis.

Proposed Mechanisms of Drug-Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Numerous drugs may impact ulcerative colitis, including antidepressants, birth control, NSAIDs, and acne medications. Each may impact the human body differently, but research suggests that some potential mechanisms include triggering a strong immune response or directly damaging the mucus lining of the bowels. Some drugs may also cause cells to die faster than normal, causing ulcers.

PFAS exposure is thought to cause ulcerative colitis by heightening the immune response, which causes immune cells to attack healthy tissue. Because PFAS chemicals are stored in blood serum, they can travel throughout the body and lead to colitis. 

The Challenges of Establishing Causation

Whether a PFAS cancer lawsuit or a drug-induced colitis claim, it can be challenging to prove that your injuries were related to a certain medication. Our dangerous drug and PFAS water contamination lawyers must eliminate other potential causes, like a possible genetic link, through extensive research into your medical history. 

Legal Claims in Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuits

Our legal team will help you navigate the legal process, including which claims may be used to hold drug or PFAS manufacturers accountable for your personal injuries. 

Product Liability: Defective Design or Manufacturing

Product liability refers to a manufacturer’s responsibility to produce safe products. According to the Illinois Supreme Court case Woodill v. Parke Davis & Co, companies can be held accountable for foreseeable risks associated with the proper use of their products. 

For example, in PFAS water contamination lawsuits, we can demonstrate that companies were aware that PFAS chemicals could cause ulcerative colitis, kidney cancer, and other serious illnesses, but continued to produce and use the chemicals. 

Failure to Warn: Inadequate Warnings About Risks

By federal law, drug or chemical manufacturers are required to disclose the potential side effects of their product (21 U.S. Code § 352). If they fail to do so, they can be held liable. 

Failure to warn has been a key issue in PFAS water contamination lawsuits. Firefighting foam manufacturers like 3M were aware that drinking water contaminated with PFAS could lead to serious health risks like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis. 

Still, they continued to sell AFFF firefighting foam and other products. This put thousands of military personnel, firefighters, and their families at risk of developing serious health issues like IBD.

Negligence in Research, Testing, and Marketing

Companies can be found negligent if they did not perform adequate research or testing before releasing a drug to the market. Any pharmaceutical product must undergo rigorous testing to identify all potential hazards, which can take 12 to 15 years, depending on the product. 

Once a drug is approved, companies must still take care when marketing the drug to adhere to all relevant regulations. They cannot overstate the product’s efficacy or downplay potential problems, ensuring that everyone can make an informed choice. 

Breach of Warranty

Breach of warranty occurs when a product does not perform its intended purpose. For pharmaceutical products, this typically falls under implied warranty, meaning that it is assumed the drug will not lead to serious injuries. 

Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) and Class Action Lawsuits

Multidistrict litigation is a unique aspect of the legal system where thousands of similar cases undergo the same discovery process. This means that one judge handles all pretrial motions and hearings for all these cases, helping attorneys share information and determine the fitness of their claims. 

PFAS litigation is already ongoing, helping get justice for those who have developed health concerns after PFAS exposure. Individuals who have consumed PFAS-contaminated drinking water have joined AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits, with multidistrict litigation in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina (MDL No. 2873). AFFF lawsuit settlements are pending in the South Carolina federal court, with class-action lawsuits expected. 

Who Can File an Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuit?

You may be eligible for an ulcerative colitis lawsuit if you were diagnosed with colitis after using one of the drugs above, or if you had potential PFAS exposure due to drinking contaminated water. We will research your case, determine the strength of your evidence, and identify liable parties. 

Steps to Take if You Suspect a Drug Caused or Worsened Your Ulcerative Colitis

You must act quickly if you believe that your ulcerative colitis was caused or exacerbated by a certain drug. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is just two years in Illinois, though it can be extended if you were not immediately diagnosed after using the drug (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Follow these steps as soon as possible. 

Consult with Your Doctor and Discuss Your Concerns

Gastroenterology clinics like Northwestern Memorial can help you manage ulcerative colitis. You should speak to them about the suspected drug link as soon as possible so that they can provide appropriate treatment and advise you on whether to stop taking the medication. 

Document Everything: Medical Records, Medication History, Symptoms, and Timeline

Medical records are key evidence in personal injury claims, as they help to establish a link between your symptoms and drug exposure. Request records from any hospitals or doctors you may have visited before or after you were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. 

Gather your history of prescription use, including prescription refill receipts, to show when you began taking a drug. Write down all symptoms you have experienced, including when they started in relation to when you took the specific drug. 

If you wish to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit, we require proof that you were exposed to PFAS during your service. This will include providing your assignment orders so that we can show you were stationed at a military base that has known PFAS contamination. 

Contact an Experienced Attorney Handling Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuits

Our law firm will guide you through every step of pursuing legal action for severe personal injuries, including investigating the link between certain drugs or PFAS exposure and ulcerative colitis. 

We have access to extensive resources, including expert witnesses like pharmaceutical professionals. These experts can help us decipher the link between your symptoms and the medications you were prescribed 

Do Not Sign Any Documents from the Drug Manufacturer Without Legal Advice

Drug or PFAS manufacturers may urge you to settle quickly, claiming it is in your best interest. However, they may try to make you settle for far less than you deserve. They may also play other games, such as asking you to record a statement, which they will then misrepresent. 

Never speak to third parties without our drug and PFAS lawyers present. We will review any documents or agreements to ensure that they are in your best interest, protecting you from these unfair tactics. 

Potential Compensation in an Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuit

A reasonable personal injury settlement depends on the specific factors of your case, such as the strength of evidence, your financial losses, and the impact of the injury on your life.

In a drug manufacturer or PFAS lawsuit, you may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. These can include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Funeral and burial costs for wrongful death
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If your case goes to trial, the jury may award punitive damages, which punish the perpetrator. These are not guaranteed, and they will not be granted if you settle out of court.

Consult an Ulcerative Colitis Lawyer Near You!

Our award-winning law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. We have a 98% success rate and have won over $450 million for our clients. To schedule your free consultation with a Chicago personal injury attorney, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.