A Chinese law firm is seeking domestic patients as clients for a class action lawsuit against US-based Bausch & Lomb for eye infections associated with the ReNu MoistureLoc multi-purpose contact lens solution.

The solution was recalled globally last month.

The law firm said it would spend two years to collect clients to support a lawsuit in the United States.

Clients needn't pay lawyer fees and travel expenses to the US.

Lawyers from Lehman, Lee & Xu in Beijing said it has found a US partner, which will cooperate with the case and pay all expenses.

Fourteen domestic residents including three from Shanghai have contacted the firm to join the lawsuit. Among them, two persons have presented their medical records.

"All complained about infection after using ReNu solution. We required reports on medical examination and diagnosis, which is the key evidence for the lawsuit," said Hao Junbo from Lehman. "In US court, plaintiffs needn't provide invoices or a ReNu bottle, but statements that they have used ReNu solution."

Hao said they haven't decided the amount of compensation they would seek for each sufferer.

Early this year, some US customers have filed lawsuits against Bausch & Lomb, each seeking US$75,000 in compensation.

(Shanghai Daily June 28, 2006)