Opioid addiction today is rampant throughout the nation. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 702,000 people have died between 1999 and 2017 due to drug overdose, and 68% of those deaths were opioid overdoses. As a result, many drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies have been sued for making and distributing the drugs, including Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Teva. While the opioid epidemic is regularly discussed on the news and in political campaigns, many Americans don’t know about their rights to file opioid lawsuits, as addiction and overdoses can comprise a personal injury claim. We’ve provided a list of frequently asked questions to shed light on opioid lawsuits.
Opioid FAQs
What is an Opioid Lawsuit?
Opioid lawsuits are typically filed by affected individuals or families against drug makers for the injuries they caused because of their marketing practices. Many of these lawsuits specifically hold companies responsible for the manufacturing, marketing, and distributing they did in the 1990s, as they marketed prescription opioids as simple painkillers, despite their highly addictive qualities.
Who Can File a Lawsuit?
Lawsuits may be filed by individuals suffering from addiction to opioids after being told they weren’t addictive, or by family members of those who have died after overdosing on the opioids they were prescribed. Parties are also able to file lawsuits, and have included counties, cities, states, and schools.
Why Should I File an Opioid Lawsuit?
Whether you’re an individual, school, or state government, you may be facing high costs in order to treat opioid addiction.
Many community leaders seek compensation to recover damages their communities have accrued, including:
- Substance abuse treatment
- Criminal justice costs
- Increased costs of insurance
In addition to receiving deserved compensation, lawsuits are also a way to hold drug makers responsible for the harm they’ve caused to families and communities. Lawsuits can also effectively bankrupt companies and cause them to shut down, preventing them from distributing opioids.
Is There a Deadline to File an Opioid Claim?
There are strict deadlines for parties to file their opioid claims. It’s recommended that those interested look into the specific company they received their prescriptions from to see if a deadline has been established.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Personal injury claims are already complex to navigate if you don’t have legal training, and opioid litigation is even more complex with all its laws and mass tort stipulations. A team that is experienced in achieving compensation for injured clients can confidently work on your case and prove liability. You or your loved one has rights to recover damages for your suffering – hire a team that can help.
Seeking Justice from Pharmaceutical Companies
As an injured individual, one of the most intimidating parts about filing a personal injury lawsuit is going up against a major company, including pharmaceutical companies. These corporations are comprised of hundreds and thousands of people, and they have their own attorneys to protect them from liability. At Christian & Christian, our pharmaceutical lawsuit attorneys aren’t afraid to go up against these companies. We’re committed to achieving justice for clients, especially if their injuries come at the expense of a company seeking to make a profit. Your well-being comes first.
Contact Christian & Christian online, or call (864) 408-8883 today if you or someone you love has been harmed by the opioid epidemic through addiction or overdose. Our personal injury lawyers are passionate about holding individuals and pharmaceutical companies responsible for their negligence.