Opioid Overdose Lawsuits

Do you know a person who is struggling with opioid addiction? The death toll caused by prescription opioid overdoses since 1999 exceeds 200,000. The Opioid Epidemic, declared a public health crisis, has claimed lives and cost communities billions of dollars nationwide. Jones Brown PLLC is currently reviewing Opioid Overdose Lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been affected by the Opioid epidemic, contact Jones Brown today.

The Opioid Epidemic and Major Companies

The epidemic has been attributed to the actions (or lack thereof) by major pharmaceutical companies such as Purdue Pharma, Endo Pharmaceuticals, and Johnson & Johnson for aggressively marketing prescription opioids like OxyContin, Percocet, and Opana. These manufacturers have made claims that these drugs are safe and have a low rate of addiction, and have encouraged medical professionals to prescribe them in high doses, despite the fact that these powerful painkillers have been shown to be highly addictive and subject to abuse. Investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and various publications have reported that these companies were aware of the risks and dangers prescription opioids presented soon after they hit the market, but continued to conceal this information and promote an entirely different message.

Opioid Litigation

The misrepresentation of prescription opioids’ true qualities has resulted in lawsuits across the nation. As major manufacturers’ profits have grown over the years, so have addiction rates, illegal prescriptions, and overdose deaths. Advertising on the basis of claims without scientific backing and a gung-ho attitude towards pushing these drugs have proven lucrative for big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of patients. Since the early 2000s, lawsuits by government entities have made allegations against manufacturers and distributors for fraud, misrepresentation, creating a public nuisance, and negligence in failing to report suspicious orders. These cases resulted in million-dollar settlements, without fault admitted on the companies’ behalf.

 What We Know Now About the Opioid Epidemic:

• In the U.S., opioid overdoses kill 115 people on average each day
• In 2016, the majority of drug overdoses were opioid-related, whether prescribed or illegal. More than 40% of opioid deaths involved prescription opioids.
• Opioid misuse may lead to heroin addiction. Approximately 80% of heroin users had previously abused prescription opioids

Individual Action Against Opioid Manufacturers

An individual who has been negatively affected by prescription opioids can bring an action against manufacturers and distributors for damages attributed to addiction, seeking retribution for job loss, rehabilitation costs, and injury caused by overdose. Individuals may also bring a case against these companies for wrongful death if a prescription opioid overdose has resulted in the death of a family member. By bringing an action against opioid manufacturers, you have the ability to make a difference in the trajectory of a nationwide opioid crisis.

Opioid Lawyer

Contact Jones Brown Law

The attorneys at Jones Brown Law are experienced in the area of defective drugs and devices. There are countless medications and devices on the market or that have recently been taken off of the market that has affected the lives of unknowing victims worldwide. Our Jones Brown Law team has experience helping countless victims of defective drugs. If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by prescription opioids, fill out our Defective Drug Questionnaire HERE to help give us information about your claim. At the law offices of Jones Brown PLLC, we pride ourselves on principles of honesty, hard work, fair dealing and compassion in our representation. We dedicate ourselves to our clients’ best interests and making the legal process as painless and simple as possible for the injured and their family. Contact Jones Brown for your free consultation today.