In the hospital hallways and the news, opioid drugs are taking their toll on the U.S. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that over 115 individuals die every day due to opioid overdose. But it wasn’t always like that. Opioids are pain-relievers that obstruct pain pathways to minimize pain sensation and increase feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Opioid medication can also be used in alleviating post-operative and acute pain, and pain associated with cancer and end of life.
For decades, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare practitioners, and wholesalers purported opioids as effective drugs to alleviate pain-related complications. The campaign was pushed aggressively to unsuspecting clients who had no way of knowing the dangers affiliated with the drug. This is what largely contributed to the surge of opioid addiction now plaguing the U.S. The good news is that, if you or somebody close to you has been the victim of opioids, you may be able to hold the liable parties financially accountable for damages suffered.
Pharmaceutical companies like Johnson and Johnson are big conglomerates, which means it won’t be easy to take them down. Don’t expect them to simply hand you money just because you say opioids harmed you or a loved one. Our Pinder Plotkin, LLC legal team are experienced personal injury lawyers in Baltimore and know what it will entail to launch and win this type of tort case. We empathize with families that have been afflicted by opioid injuries in Baltimore, which is why we are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
To learn more information on how you can get justice for your opioid injuries, contact us today at (410) 216-5873 to get a FREE case review.
Negative Side Effects Of Using Opioids
Opioids can be used in relieving pain and making patients feel relaxed and happy in the short term. But opioids have negative side effects, some of which include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Coma
- Hallucinations
- Clogged blood vessels or collapsed veins
- Increased risk of contracting HIV or infectious diseases (through intravenous use)
- Increased risk of hepatitis (through intravenous use)
- Slowed breathing
Opioid misuse can result in slowed breathing, which can lead to hypoxia (this is when too little oxygen enters the brain). Hypoxia has long-and short-term neurological and psychological side effects, including permanent brain damage, coma, or death.
Also, continual misuse of prescription opioids can result in substance use disorder or SUD. A SUD brews when continuous misuse of the drug alters the brain and results in health complications and failure to fulfill responsibilities at home, school, or work. Opioid addicts who stop using the drug can have serious withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Bone and muscle pain
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Cold flashes
- Severe cravings
Opioids That Have Been Recalled
Darvocet and Darvon
The Darvocet & Darvon recall received massive traction when the popular pain treatment was found to result in many severe heart rhythm complications. These heart rhythm complications were not only serious, but they often resulted in fatalities. This forced Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals to recall the opioid medication. The FDA also mandated the generic manufacturers of the drug, Darvon, to follow Xanodyne and pull their products from the market as well.
Fentanyl Transdermal System
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA recalled millions of its fentanyl transdermal patches after the FDA found they didn’t meet degradation specifications. The transdermal systems were made by Actavis Laboratories throughout the country by Actavis Pharma. Teva Pharmaceuticals issued the recall voluntarily. It contained high levels of fentanyl, an opioid agonist.
Pending Lawsuits Against Certain Opioids Manufacturers
Baltimore and five other counties in the state of Maryland have filed lawsuits against opioid distributors and manufacturers around the assertion that the pharmaceutical industry worsened the opioid crisis by concealing or downplaying the risks of addiction affiliated with its products. They are also claiming that these companies promoted their products to healthcare practitioners and the public in an aggressive way, having full knowledge of their addictive nature.
Here’s a rundown of Pending Lawsuits Against Certain Opioids Manufacturers
Baltimore City
On January 31, 2018, the city filed a suit in Baltimore Circuit Court. The suit named three distributors and five pharmaceutical companies. Two healthcare physicians operating pain clinics are also included. The city is requesting the court to oblige these persons and entities to alter their practices in terms of providing and promoting these dangerous painkilling drugs. The City solicitor claimed that they knowingly advertised opioids knowing they were harmful, they would destroy lives, and knew the addictive consequences that would ensue.
The distributors and manufacturers with pending lawsuits include:
- Johnson & Johnston
- Insys Therapeutics (Maker of Subsys – sublingual spray of fentanyl)
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Jensen Pharmaceuticals
- Endo Pharmaceuticals (Percocet manufacture)
- Purdue Pharma (OxyContin manufacture)
Wholesale distributors include AmerisourceBergen, McKesson, and Cardinal Health.
Learn More About Workers Comp Claims & Opioids
Who Is Eligible To File An Opioid Lawsuit In Baltimore?
Persons who get addicted to drugs may not consider seeking legal action to hold the party that gave them the drugs responsible. Many people follow the notion that it’s your own fault for using the drugs in the first place, right? Well, not really.
Opioids are a different case when compared to other dangerous drugs. The majority of opioid injury victims began using opioids under the doctor’s instructions. You might have had little to no information about the risk involved when taking the prescribed drug.
As a patient seeking help, you have a right to presume that your healthcare provider is looking out for your health. You can also presume that the prescription drugs given to you are reasonably safe and will make you feel better from your ailment. If you are the victim of an opioid injury, you are entitled to file an opioid lawsuit against at-fault parties when a product that was supposed to aid you ends up causing harm.
The City can also be the plaintiff and seek reimbursement for resources allocated to combat the epidemic as well as pain and suffering inflicted on the community.
The Cost Of Filing An Opioid Lawsuit
Our Pinder Plotkin LLC team knows first-hand how damaging the improper prescription of dangerous drugs can be. Some of its effects can manifest in the long-term without your knowledge and end up wreaking havoc on your life. We understand what you are going through which is why we don’t charge anything when it comes to filing your opioid lawsuit. We will deal will all the legal technicalities to help you get the reimbursement you are owed. You’ll pay us after we’ve won.
So if you or a loved one are looking to recover damages for an opioid injury in Baltimore, call our Law Offices today to initiate the legal proceedings.
Ways A Dangerous Drug Lawyer Can Help You In An Opioid Lawsuit
When you decide to file a suit against the responsible parties of your opioid injuries, you can expect a hard-fought battle of denial as they try to get out of making a payment. You need somebody on your side looking out for your interests and to make sure you aren’t lowballed or swindled out of your deserved reimbursement. You can expect our Pinder Plotkin LLC team to give you expert legal counsel. Here are ways we can help you with your opioid lawsuit:
- Conduct a thorough investigation as to the circumstances that resulted in your opioid injuries
- Work in liaison with financial, scientific, and medical experts to accurately evaluate the value of your opioid claim
- Identify the party/parties that may have contributed to the injuries suffered
- File your claim for reimbursement against distributors, manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, doctors, hospitals, and medical facilities who share the culpability
- Push back against companies trying to lowball the value of your damages
Damages Available In Opioid Injury Cases
When a corporation, hospital, or doctor is negligent, you have legal grounds to hold them financially culpable for damages suffered. Damages you may be entitled to get include medical costs, lost wages, therapy and drug counseling, pain and suffering, lost earning capability, wrongful death, loss of financial support, emotional distress, and more. Our Pinder Plotkin LLC legal team will aggressively fight on your behalf and help you get the maximum possible reimbursement.
Contact Pinder Plotkin for Help With Your Baltimore Opioid Lawsuit
Opioids are potent painkillers that come with adverse side effects. If used for a prolonged period, it can result in long-term drug dependency. When used appropriately, opioids are a great way of managing short-term pain. Sadly, the addictive side effects of opioids are just too great for most patients to bear – something pharmaceutical companies and doctors know.
If you have been the victim of an opioid injury or you lost somebody close to you as a result of opioid use in Baltimore, MD, you are entitled to pursue financial reparations. Our experienced Baltimore personal injury attorneys can assist you to hold the liable parties accountable for your injuries.
If you would like to join open opioid tort cases, our Pinder Plotkin LLC Legal Team can help you do just that. Contact our skilled Baltimore opioid injury attorneys today at (410) 525-5337 to explore your legal options. File Your Baltimore Opioid Lawsuit with our Pinder Plotkin LLC Legal Team.
