Opioid Lawsuits – Individuals and Public Entity Representation

Since it began in the 1990s, the Opioid Epidemic in the United States has grown increasingly worse. While these drugs are often prescribed to treat chronic pain, they are also highly addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in the U.S., more than 115 people die every day by overdosing on opioids. From 2000 to 2017, opioids claimed the lives of more than half a million people. Additionally, the Opioid Epidemic has a large economic impact. Nearly $55 billion dollars is spent on health and social services related to prescription Opioid abuse each year and over $20 billion is spent in emergency department and inpatient care.

These costs have a very real impact, as state and county officials struggle to stretch their budgets, hospital staff are stretched thin, and health insurance companies see their costs rise as they work to help treat those suffering from opioid addiction.

Drug manufacturers, distributors and sellers have all contributed to the epidemic, and in many ways, made it worse. Drug makers promoted prescribing the same drugs for long-term chronic pain rather than for short periods of time. Drug companies and distributors spent millions on promotional activities and materials that minimize the risks of opioids while overstating the benefits of their use. They’ve also provided millions of dollars in funding to prominent doctors, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups to win their support.

Fears Nachawati Law Firm represents public entities and is dedicated to helping states, cities, counties, tribes, labor unions, hospitals, and self insured plans protect the public’s interest in defeating the Opioid problem and holding bad actors accountable through the civil justice system. Our team is currently investigating and fighting the Opioid Epidemic against multiple defendants and our firm remains dedicated to helping all of our clients.

Fears Nachawati welcomes opportunities to work on behalf of public entities. For more information about your rights, please contact us at 214-461-6231 or by email at opioidlit@fnlawfirm.com.

• How Texas is Using the Courts to Fight the Opioid Crisis
• Fears Nachawati Law Firm Submits Complaint Against Pharmaceutical Companies on Behalf of Johnson County, Texas