States, Counties and Cities are Suing Big Pharma Over America’s Opioid Crisis

In this month’s edition of the PKSD Newsletter, You Should Know, we cover the opioid epidemic and the lawsuits being filed by state, county and city governments to try to hold drug companies accountable.

This month’s newsletter also explains what you can do to fight the opioid epidemic and avoid getting addicted to these drugs if you suffer an injury that causes chronic pain.

America’s Opioid Epidemic

The U.S. is in the midst of an epidemic of deaths from the abuse of opioid medications. Deaths from abuse of oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone have quadrupled since 1999. In 2016 alone, almost 64,000 people died from opioid overdoses, according to a report from Time Magazine.

These dramatic increases in deaths seem to coincide with a dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions. The increase in prescriptions began in 1996 when OxyContin came on the market and was heavily promoted to doctors. In 2017 alone, 236 million opioid prescriptions were written.

Fighting Big Pharma

While law enforcement, health care professionals and addiction prevention organizations are working to fight the opioid epidemic, others are attempting to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable.

There are multiple city, county and state governments filing lawsuits over the opioid epidemic. More than 400 cities, counties and Native American tribes have filed lawsuits against pharmacy chains and drug manufacturers and distributors.

Trial attorneys have also joined the fight to help individuals and families who have suffered because of opioid addiction.

What You Can Do to Fight the Epidemic

You can help fight back by supporting lawmakers who are attempting to hold Big Pharma accountable.

You should also be very careful about filling an opioid prescription if a doctor says you should take it. Ask about other medications for pain management or other treatment options.

If you decide to take an opioid medication, make sure to carefully follow all directions and keep in close contact with your doctor to ensure the medication is working correctly.

Contact a PKSD Attorney Right Now

If you suffered an injury because of a defective or dangerous drug, you may have legal options. Contact one of the skilled defective drug lawyers at PKSD for a free legal consultation.

We can review your situation to determine if you have a case. If you do, we can manage every aspect of the legal process, fighting to hold the manufacturer accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.

You will not be charged for our services unless you receive the compensation you deserve.

Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form for call 414-333-3333.