Opioid Litigation Attorneys in Texas

Opioid Litigation Cases Nationwide

The opioid crisis or opioid epidemic refers to the widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs, resulting in a public health emergency. It began in the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies assured healthcare providers that prescription opioids, such as OxyContin, were not addictive and were safe for long-term use, leading to increased prescription rates. As opioids became more widely available, misuse escalated causing widespread addiction. 

How Dangerous is the Opioid Crisis?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• The opioid crisis has caused more than 560,000 opioid overdose deaths since it was declared a public health emergency in 2017.
• 69,000 people suffered opioid overdose deaths in 2020.
• Opioid overdose deaths have increased 800% since 1999.
• Opioid overdose deaths caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl have approximately doubled in the last 5 years.
• Prescription opioid fatal overdose rates have remained somewhat level for decades, which suggests that even newer semi-synthetic opioids are just as likely to trigger addictions in users.
• Annual hospitalizations and emergency department visits for nonfatal opioid overdoses average above 250,000.

Why is Big Pharma Liable for the Opioid Crisis?

For years, health experts, lawyers, legislators, and other professionals have pointed to Big Pharma for causing the opioid crisis. While many companies and corporations have downplayed the addiction risks of opioids and paid doctors to prescribe opioids when not necessary, two companies may be more liable than most others.

In most opioid litigation, complaints usually place liability on two Big Pharma companies, including:

• Purdue Pharma: Purdue Pharma played a significant role in America’s ongoing opioid crisis due to its misrepresentation of the dangers of long-term opioid use. After filing for bankruptcy in 2019, Purdue Pharma agreed to pay billions to creditors to satisfy opioid claims. At this time, the terms of a potential settlement are still being finalized.
  • You may be eligible to file a claim if you or a loved one used specific Purdue Pharma brand-name drugs, such as:
    • MsContin
    • Oxycontin
    • Butrans
    • Dilaudid
    • Hysingla ER
    • DHC Plus
    • MSIR
    • OxyFast
    • OxyIR
    • Palladone
    • Ryzolt
• Mallinckrodt: Mallinckrodt is another opioid manufacturer that contributed to the opioid epidemic. In 2020, Mallinckrodt filed for bankruptcy and established the Mallinckrodt Opioid Personal Injury Trust to compensate those harmed by opioid products specifically manufactured by Mallinckrodt.
  • You may be able to participate in this claim if you were dispensed or prescribed a Mallinckrodt product, such as:
    • Roxicodone
    • Exalgo
    • Methadose
    • Anexsia

Both companies are facing significant legal consequences for their roles in the ongoing opioid crisis.

Compensation in an Opioid Crisis Lawsuit

Compensation in an opioid crisis lawsuit could include damages related to:

• Costs of medical treatments related to injuries caused by opioid use or overdose
• Lost wages if you cannot hold gainful employment due to opioid addiction complications
• Pain, suffering, and traumatization you have endured
• Damages related to the death of a loved one if applicable
• Punitive damages to penalize the drug manufacturer (available only rarely)