Last month, state and municipal governments started holding manufacturers accountable for the opioid epidemic. The wave of lawsuits began with a landmark ruling out of Oklahoma that found Johnson & Johnson liable for creating a public nuisance and fueling the opioid crisis.
Just last week, Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, reached a tentative, multi-billion-dollar settlement with 2,300 local governments across 23 states. Purdue is also looking to settle criminal and civil probes from the U.S. Justice Department.
While Johnson & Johnson was found to have oversold the benefits of opioid painkillers and downplayed the risks of addiction, Purdue Pharma faces allegations of failing to report doctors who were illegally prescribing opioids. Both companies contributed to saturating the market with a highly addictive medication that can create a dangerous drug dependency within as little as five days.
Consequences and Recovery
On average, the opioid epidemic claims the lives of over 130 people every day. In addition to the devastating human cost, the crisis costs each state upwards of $17 billion.
Whether on the institutional or individual level, recovery is extremely expensive. People with opioid addictions are often unable to get better without pricey inpatient care. The loss of a loved one as a result of opioid overdose is frequently insurmountable for the families left behind.
With the efforts of government agencies like the CDC, the crisis can be mitigated and the road to recovery may be able to begin on a national basis. Holding manufacturers accountable financially can give these institutions the resources they need to get started.
Dangerous and Defective Drug Cases
At The Gilbert Law Group®, we fight for justice on behalf of people affected by dangerous and defective drugs. If you have been injured by opioid painkillers or other treatments, call us today for a free consultation.Our attorneys are available at (888) 711-5947 and look forward to helping you recover.
