Colson Hicks Eidson Files Lawsuit In Elmiron Case Against Janssen Pharmaceuticals

May 7, 2020 / 4:28 am

This Medication Can Cause Severe Eye Damage

Coral Gables, Fla. (May 2020) – Coral Gables-based Colson Hicks Eidson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Plaintiff who sustained severe eye damage after taking Elmiron, also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium, Elmiron is a prescription drug used to treat interstitial cystitis (also known as “bladder pain syndrome” or “IC”).

The lawsuit alleges that Elmiron caused the Plaintiff harmful retinal damage and maculopathy, which ultimately resulted in impaired vision. The lawsuit alleges that Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew or should have known that Elmiron, when taken as prescribed or intended, causes eye damage.

In 2018, researchers at the Emory Eye Center at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA discovered that the retinal cells of those taking Elmiron accumulated pentosan polysulfate sodium over time, leading to the retinal damage and maculopathy. These findings were later confirmed by findings presented to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and others.

The Plaintiff in the case filed by Colson Hicks Eidson is Tara O’Flaherty. She was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, and took Elmiron as prescribed by her physician from approximately 1994 through 2019. She was given no warning and had no knowledge of the serious risk of retinal damage and vision loss posed by Elmiron. Her attorneys say she suffers from maculopathy, blurriness, and distorted vision.

The Plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for lost earnings in the past; loss of earning capacity in the future; medical expenses incurred in the past; medical expenses to be incurred in the future; other economic damages; pain and suffering; disability; physical impairment; disfigurement; mental anguish; inconvenience; aggravation of a disease or physical defect; loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life sustained in the past and to be sustained in the future; and other non-economic damages.

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About Colson Hicks Eidson

The Law Firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is a trial firm it has more than 50 years of experience handling local, national, and international litigation and arbitration cases. Members of Colson Hicks Eidson have been involved and numerous high-profile and landmark cases resulting in precedent-setting and impactful rulings.

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We are pleased to announce that four of our attorneys have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide. Congratulations to Eleni I. Constant, Aziza F. Elayan, Zachary A. Lipshultz, and Sabrina S. Saieh.

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our attorneys and the depth of talent across the firm. This recognition reflects the dedication, skill, and professionalism that Eleni, Aziza, Zach, and Sabrina bring to their clients and the firm every day.

Lawdragon selects lawyers for this guide through independent research, submissions, and peer review, recognizing attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in the legal profession, typically within 15 years of graduating from law school.

Click here to read the full guide.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson partner Julie Braman Kane was invited to serve on the faculty of The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Course. As a faculty member, Julie worked with participants to strengthen their trial skills through hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and workshops.

The Advanced Trial Advocacy Course is an intensive, four-day program designed to refine courtroom skills. Participants engage in practical exercises, present recorded arguments, and receive individualized feedback from experienced judges and trial lawyers.

A trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, Julie has successfully represented plaintiffs in high-stakes personal injury, commercial, and class action litigation in state and federal courts. She has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements across a broad range of matters, including medical malpractice, personal injury, pharmaceutical litigation, class actions, and commercial disputes.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Zachary A. Lipshultz and Sabrina S. Saieh have been recognized as Rising Stars in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 or with fewer than 10 years of practice are selected as Rising Stars.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Stephanie A. Casey, Joseph J. Kalbac Jr., Julie Braman Kane, and Curtis Miner have been named in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. Only 5 percent of lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers. 

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson represented the Miami-Dade County School Board in reaching a comprehensive settlement with South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), resolving litigation concerning the governance, management, and future operation of WLRN.

The agreement formally resolves all litigation between the parties and establishes a framework for the continued growth and stability of public media in South Florida.

Among its key provisions, the settlement allows SFPMG to acquire West Palm Beach radio station WFLM – The Flame and transfer it to the School Board, expanding WLRN’s reach into Palm Beach County. The agreement also extends SFPMG’s management of WLRN and WFLM (upon acquisition) for an additional seven years and includes governance and leadership reforms designed to support the organizations’ long-term success.

The matter was handled by Roberto Martinez, Sabrina S. Saieh, and Zachary A. Lipshultz on behalf of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

The resolution reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that WLRN continues to provide trusted journalism, educational programming, and public service to communities throughout South Florida.

Media coverage includes:

Miami Herald – WLRN, school board settle legal battle. What it means for the station’s future

WLRN – Miami-Dade School Board settles lengthy legal dispute with South Florida Public Media Group

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson has once again earned a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide for Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs in Florida – one of only four law firms in the state to receive this highest ranking. We are especially honored that five of our attorneys were individually recognized for their leadership, legal excellence, and commitment to client service.

Congratulations to Stephanie A. Casey, Julie Braman Kane, and Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson for being recognized in Florida Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs, and to Roberto Martínez and Curtis Miner, who were each recognized in both Florida Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs and Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.

The rankings reflect the firm’s exceptional track record of securing multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements for clients in matters involving commercial litigation, medical malpractice, products liability, class actions, multidistrict litigation, and aviation and automobile accidents.

We’re grateful to our clients and peers for their continued trust and recognition.


About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com