michelle stump
12 days ago
Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.
Johanna Bukowski
1 month ago
Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.). What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served. I highly recommend Collins Law!
Jeff Matticks
2 months ago
I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way. Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.
Ella Folson
3 months ago
Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!
J. Savv
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.
Unique Morris
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.
Nick Erlenbaugh
3 months ago
Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!
Dwayne Kurfirst
3 months ago
I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way. What stood out most was his professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family. If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.
Helen Montague
5 months ago
We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.
Matthew Malone
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.
Ronnie Sanchez
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)
Maddie Scheele
6 months ago
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.
Leticia Pink
7 months ago
Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies. Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients. We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.
Megan
7 months ago
I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered. His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.
David Bretti
7 months ago
(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻 (Original) Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻
Jas R.
7 months ago
Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.
Amy Ressen
8 months ago
I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!
Lauren Dryanski
9 months ago
I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm . A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know. Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!
Will Brooks
10 months ago
John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.
Icela Hernandez
11 months ago
If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .
Are you experiencing eye problems or vision loss after being prescribed Elmiron for a bladder condition? Collins Law Group is now accepting Elmiron eye injury claims for people who have suffered vision loss and pain after using Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis. However, the time limit for filing an Elmiron lawsuit may be running out, so do not delay.
Call us at 630-527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a free evaluation of your Elmiron eye injury claim as soon as possible. There is no risk; you owe us nothing unless we recover money for you, and you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries.
Don’t suffer in silence. Let our Naperville Elmiron attorneys help you get justice.
People are filing lawsuits against Janssen, the company that manufactures Elmiron, because the drug has been linked to pigmentary maculopathy, an eye condition that can cause irreversible vision loss and even blindness. Elmiron has been prescribed to treat a bladder condition, interstitial cystitis (IC), that affects up to a million people, mainly women, in the US. The condition causes pain and pressure in the bladder area, and Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication to reduce these symptoms in people with IC. Unfortunately, studies have linked long-term Elmiron use to a specific type of eye damage called pigmentary maculopathy. Up to 25% of long-term Elmiron users may have some form of this eye damage, which is not to be confused with age-related macular degeneration. The lawsuits allege that Janssen failed to warn patients that Elmiron could cause this serious and permanent eye damage.
Multiple studies have linked Elmiron to pigmentary maculopathy, a specific form of retinal maculopathy. In 2016, ophthalmologists at Emory University began to see a new eye disease “retinal maculopathy” in patients who had one thing in common: the use of Elmiron. Concerned, they began digging through old records of the Elmiron approval process and found numerous adverse reports of eye damage dating back to the 1990s. After that, several studies of Elmiron discovered similar patterns of retinal damage, including one study that found nearly 25% of Elmiron patients had eye damage and another that concluded that 20% of Elmiron patients faced a significant risk of macular toxicity. One study even found that retinal maculopathy continued to worsen even after the patients discontinued using Elmiron. The following include some of the studies linking Elmiron to pigmentary maculopathy and vision loss:
A 2018 study led by Nieraj Jain, M.D. at the Emory Eye Center found a novel type of pigmentary maculopathy in six patients who were taking Elmiron for interstitial cystitis. Pigmentary Maculopathy Associated with Chronic Exposure to Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium, William Pearce, Rui Chen, Nieraj Jain, (November 2018)
A second Emory University Study (2019) concluded that avoidable retinal degeneration was linked to chronic Elmiron usage. Those who did not take the drug showed no sign of pigmentary maculopathy. Chronic Exposure To Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Is Associated With Retinal Pigmentary Changes And Vision Loss, Jenelle Foote, Adam Hanif, And Nieraj Jain, (April, 2019).
A Kaiser Permanente study (2019) found that approximately 25% of patients taking Elmiron had signs of retinal damage and those with significant exposure to the drug had more damage. Prevalence of Maculopathy Associated with Long-Term Pentosan Polysulfate Therapy Robin A. Vora, M.D , Amar P. Patel, M.D., and Ronald Melles M.D.
Another Jain study (November 2019) discovered that patients who took Elmiron for seven years had higher odds of macular disease than those who took Elmiron for five years. Association of macular disease with long-term use of pentosan polysulfate sodium: findings from a US cohort, Nieraj Jain et al, (November 2019)
A study by Huckfeldt and Vavvas (November 2019) found that a patient continued to get worsening pigmentary maculopathy even six years after stopping Elmiron. Progressive Maculopathy After Discontinuation of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium, Rachel M Huckfeldt, et al, (October 2019)
The findings in this study suggested that long-term exposure to pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) was related to is a vision-threatening form of maculopathy. Phenotypic Spectrum of PeStudy concluded that Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium-Associated Maculopathy: A Multicenter Study, Adam Hanif et al, (September 2019)
Moreover, the longer a person uses Elmiron, the more eye damage it may cause. Retinal maculopathy is a very serious, progressive disease, that can cause irreversible vision loss. However, Elmiron contained no warning about the risks of eye damage until 2020, two years after the publication of the first studies. Instead, Janssen continued to receive billions of dollars in revenue from this drug, while exposing thousands of patients to the risk of losing their sight.
Pigmentary Maculopathy is an eye condition that affects the macula of the eye, an area at the rear of the retina which focuses central vision, recognizes details, colors, and faces, and is pivotal for reading. The disorder causes dark spots or hyperpigmentation on the retina that can be observed during an eye exam. Pigmentary maculopathy typically affects both eyes and is a progressive condition which can cause irreversible vision loss. Symptoms of pigmentary maculopathy may include:
Elmiron is the brand name for pentosan polysulfate sodium, a drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson. In 1985 Elmiron was approved under the “orphan drug” status to treat what was then considered a rare disorder, interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome. After that, the FDA issued non-approval letters for Elmiron in 1993 and 1994 due to very weak evidence of efficacy. Nevertheless, it was finally approved by the FDA in 1996--based on evidence from a compassionate use database that it worked for a small subset of patients--and has been on the market for 25 years. Since then several studies have concluded that Elmiron provides no benefit for the majority of patients, but doctors continue to prescribe this medication. Patients who are prescribed Elmiron typically take 100 mg doses three times a day, and it can take 3-4 weeks to 6-9 months to see an improvement in bladder symptoms. Many patients have been on Elmiron for years or even decades. Because it is the only FDA-approved medication to treat interstitial cystitis, it has been prescribed to hundreds of thousands of patients over the years.
Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome as it is also called, is a chronic bladder condition defined by pain and pressure in the bladder area. People who suffer from IC complain about chronic urinary tract symptoms that can last from 6 weeks to two years. These symptoms mimic traditional urinary tract infections despite no infection being present. Symptoms include:
Researchers are not sure exactly what causes interstitial cystitis but suspect weak pelvic muscles, ulcers, trauma to the bladder, and a history of bladder infections may contribute to the problem. Some people who experience symptoms also suffer from autoimmune diseases or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stress can exacerbate the symptoms, as can certain foods and beverages.
Doctors still do not know a lot about how to treat interstitial cystitis because the problem is complex and may be caused by multiple factors. Doctors often advise IC patients to avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, soda, citrus fruits, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners that can cause IC flare-ups. Reducing stress, not smoking, exercising, and eating more fruits and vegetables may also help. Unfortunately, no simple treatment eliminates IC and nothing works for everyone. Beyond these lifestyle changes, doctors often turn to several other treatments for IC, including:
No. Despite the evidence that Elmiron is linked to pigmentary maculopathy, the drug has not been recalled. Elmiron remains on the market amid increasing lawsuits by patients who have been harmed by the drug.
If you have been taking Elmiron, it is important that you talk to your physician to determine if you should stop taking the drug. If you are experiencing any symptoms or signs of vision problems or vision loss, you should see your ophthalmologist for a comprehensive examination as soon as possible, and let him or her know you have been on Elmiron. Ask to see a retinologist to get tested for pigmentary maculopathy.
You may have an Elmiron lawsuit if you have been taking the drug for a while and have developed vision loss or have been diagnosed with pigmentary or retinal maculopathy. In this case, you may be entitled to compensation and should seek legal help as soon as possible. Litigation is currently in the early stages and people are filing claims now. Because of the potential statute of limitations, you should act quickly if you think you have a claim.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy by your eye doctor, and you believe it is related to your long-term use of Elmiron, you may have a claim against the manufacturers. We are investigating cases of vision loss and serious eye damage in adults who have been prescribed Elmiron by their doctor, so contact us for help. Our experienced lawyers will confirm your diagnosis and make sure you have a good lawyer fighting for you. Call us at (630) 527-595 or fill out our contact form herefor a FREE evaluation of your Elmiron claim. There is no obligation and no cost unless we win your case. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
