The opioid crisis in the U.S. has accelerated dramatically in the last two decades, leading many people to seek medical intervention. Companies like Indivior have seized the opportunity to develop drug treatments like Suboxone for opioid dependence. Although Suboxone has dominated the market for years, many users have experienced severe dental problems. If you are one of these people, you may have the right to bring a Suboxone lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries.
Specifically, Suboxone users have reported alarming incidents of tooth decay after taking the sublingual film version of the drug, which is administered by placing a small film strip under the patient's tongue. Although patients used this drug as directed, they didn't know about the potential side effects they were being exposed to.
As a result of the damage caused by this medication, many people are now facing staggering dental bills and other financial concerns, as well as emotional distress from the severe implications caused by Suboxone. If you fall into this category, you should know if you qualify for a Suboxone lawsuit.
The dangerous drug team at Dolman Law Group has been closely monitoring the progression of Suboxone cases, and we stand ready with the experienced legal support you need to seek compensation for your damages. We can help you bring a product liability lawsuit against the negligent drug manufacturer who never warned you about the dental nightmare you are facing.
If you were prescribed Suboxone and suffered severe dental issues as a result, contact us at (727) 451-6900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our Suboxone lawsuit lawyers. We can clarify whether your Suboxone case meets the compensation criteria, explain your rights, and offer an estimate of what your Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit could be worth.
Who is Eligible to File a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?
The drug manufacturer, Indivior, had a legal obligation to inform Suboxone users of the risks associated with using the under-the-tongue film version of this drug. By failing to warn users about the risk of dental decay, Indivior breached its duty of care, and injured people are filing Suboxone lawsuits claiming the drug manufacturer may be liable for the legal damages they incurred as a result of using Suboxone.
Although the FDA approved this product in 2002, it didn't carry a warning label explaining the dangers of tooth decay for almost twenty years. Finally, in January 2022, the FDA required Indivior to include a warning stating that Suboxone could potentially cause tooth decay. Before the warning label, doctors and other healthcare providers continued to prescribe this drug, and patients faithfully used it without realizing the damage it could cause.
Which Suboxone Users May Qualify to Bring a Suboxone Lawsuit?
To know if you qualify for compensation in a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, the following must be true:
- You used Suboxone sublingual films as prescribed to treat your opioid dependence before 2022
- You experienced severe dental issues beyond a normal rate of decay
- You sustained monetary damages as a result of your Suboxone dental injuries
As the plaintiff in a lawsuit, you are responsible for meeting the burden of proof. To recover your damages, your attorney must create a clear connection between Indivior’s negligence, your injuries, and your resulting financial losses. In the case of a Suboxone lawsuit, you will likely need extensive medical evidence from your doctor and personal statements regarding your experience with your dental issues.
It's important to note your state's statute of limitations will also affect whether you can file a product liability claim. The good news is, the parties currently involved in pending Suboxone litigation are discussing a Tolling Agreement, which could set a final filing deadline for all plaintiffs' cases sometime in 2025. Once that agreement is finalized, we will better understand our clients' abilities to bring a Suboxone lawsuit.
These cases are complicated. An experienced personal injury attorney at Dolman Law Group can help you determine if you have a valid Suboxone claim or potentially argue for an extension of time if certain extenuating circumstances exist. Since each case is different, a deadline extension will depend on your unique situation and is not guaranteed to succeed.
Learn more about your potential legal rights by calling for a free consultation now.
Why Suboxone Maker Indivior May Be Responsible to Pay Compensation to Sublingual Patients
The current Suboxone dental decay lawsuits specifically involve the sublingual film version of the drug because placing the medication under the tongue increases the risk of injury to the teeth. Indivior also offers a pill form that contains the same ingredients, namely the partial opioid agonist Buprenorphine, which is known to be acidic. The original form of Suboxone was the oral tablet, so the medication’s corrosive potential was limited because it did not have prolonged contact with the user’s teeth.
However, when Indivior recognized that its monopoly on oral opioid antagonist medication was going to expire at the end of its Orphan Drug policy agreement with the FDA, the drug manufacturer created a sublingual form of Suboxone to maintain control of the market. Unfortunately, this version has a serious consequence. The sublingual film form of Suboxone, which is held under the tongue until it dissolves, reduces salivary flow and directly exposes the teeth to an unhealthy acidic level of Buprenorphine.
This exposure can lead to the erosion of enamel and generally weaken teeth, especially if the user is taking Suboxone for an extended period of time. So far, studies have linked the sublingual film version of Suboxone to:
- Severe tooth decay and loss
- Cavities
- Tooth extractions
- Broken teeth
- Jaw bone injuries
- Other serious dental injuries
How We Can Establish Negligence in Product Liability Lawsuits Against Suboxone’s Manufacturer
Product liability claims are a subset of personal injury claims and have their own unique requirements. For a defendant manufacturer or distributor to be held responsible in a product liability claim, they must breach a legal duty through a design flaw, manufacturing error, distribution issue, or labeling issue that causes an injury to a plaintiff who used the product as intended. Companies like Indivior can be held liable if plaintiffs provide sufficient evidence that demonstrates the drug manufacturer knew or should have known about the risks of taking their medication but did not warn consumers of the risks.
In the case of the Suboxone dental decay claims, injured users claim Indivior should have been aware that an acidic substance like Buprenorphine would cause harm the longer it was in contact with a user’s teeth, especially given the fact that it had sold the tablet form of Suboxone containing this ingredient for nearly a decade prior to releasing the sublingual film version of the drug.
The many Suboxone lawsuits highlight Indivior’s failure to warn the public about the possible side effects of using the sublingual film version of Suboxone. Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to thoroughly test their products and notify regulatory agencies and the public about their medication's known side effects. Instead of warning users, Indivior profited from Suboxone for two decades before the FDA took the initiative to update Suboxone’s warning label in January 2022.
Trust Dolman Law Group to Handle Your Suboxone Lawsuit
Product liability claims involving defective drugs can be challenging due to the number of potential complicating factors involved, especially with chronic conditions like opioid use disorder. At Dolman Law Group, we have successfully represented many clients who were injured by defective medications, such as Tepezza users with hearing loss, and we are currently representing patients bringing Ozempic lawsuits for the extreme side effects they are suffering.
This valuable experience makes our team imminently qualified to handle your product liability lawsuit and pursue maximum compensation for your damages. Our clients are our priority, and we emphasize frequent communication, attention to detail, and diligent service for each injured individual. Our Suboxone tooth decay attorneys at Dolman Law Group offer the exceptional experience and unrivaled level of commitment you deserve.
Contact Dolman Law Group For Help With Your Suboxone Lawsuit
Grappling with opioid dependence is difficult enough on a physical, financial, and emotional level without the added burden of deteriorating dental health. Suboxone was designed to help people suffering from opioid use disorder endure withdrawal from opioids and reduce future dependence. However, it is costing many users their ability to eat comfortably, feel confident in their smile, and afford their bills. We can request these damages for you in a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit.
At Dolman Law Group, we are disturbed by the negligence displayed by Suboxone’s manufacturer, and we believe that Suboxone users deserve better. Our team of product liability attorneys is invested in ensuring that individuals recovering from opioid use disorder are fairly compensated for the damages they sustained as a result of using Suboxone sublingual film.
You can rest assured that your Suboxone dental decay lawsuit will receive the level of attention it deserves from our compassionate and skilled personal injury lawyers. For a free consultation, contact our capable team of Suboxone lawyers at (727) 451-6900 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to learning more about your situation, explaining the services we offer, and providing insight into how to move forward with your Suboxone dental decay lawsuit.