Opioids are usually prescribed to manage severe pain. While opioids are incredibly effective for pain treatment, they're highly addictive and extremely dangerous if misused. In recent years, it has come to light that pharmaceutical companies failed to warn the public about the risks associated with opioid use. If your or a loved one's health has suffered from opioids, you have a right to hold the liable parties financially responsible for your damages.
We recommend hiring Boca Raton opioid lawyers to help you build and file an opioid lawsuit. At Dolman Law Group, we have the knowledge and resources to serve as your legal advocates in these matters. We are here to fight for your financial recovery.
What Is a Prescription Opioid?
An opioid is a prescription drug for pain made from the opium poppy plant. Opioid medication can be made in two ways: from the plant or artificially in a lab (referred to as "synthetic opioids"). Opioids are potent painkillers since they function by blocking pain signals sent from the brain to the rest of the body.
Some examples of prescription opioids include:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Oxymorphone
- Oxycontin
- Hydrocodone
When consumed, opioids can create feelings of euphoria as it releases large amounts of dopamine into the body, making these drugs very addictive. In fact, prescription opioids are made up of the same chemical properties as heroin.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), many individuals dependent on opioids turn to heroin because it is generally cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't require a prescription. This adds another layer to the dangers of opioids.
Common Injuries From Misuse of Opioids
Opioids are used for the treatment of acute pain. However, opioids can cause severe injuries to persons using them to treat chronic pain due to their addictive nature. The longer you use opioids, the more powerful and damaging the consequences could be.
Here are some of the health problems and injuries linked to the misuse of opioids:
- Respiratory problems
- Hypoxia
- Drowsiness
- Physical dependence
- Dizziness
- Compromised immune system
- Hormone dysfunction
- Constipation
- Personality changes
These side effects of opioid misuse are only a tiny fraction of the damage opioid addiction can cause. Opioid misuse can also result in an overdose or death. In addition, individuals suffering from opioid addiction may not have the capacity to work and earn a living and struggle to maintain their relationships. Our lawyers help victims seek compensation for the damages opioid misuse caused, as well as treatment costs.
Recoverable Damages in Opioid Cases
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional demonstrates negligence that causes harm to the patient. As in personal injury claims, you can recover two types of damages from an opioid case: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are losses with an actual monetary value, such as medical bills, lost earnings, counseling, and rehabilitation expenses.
Non-economic damages don't have an actual dollar value, so our attorneys must assign one when handling your lawsuit. In an opioid case, such damages might include:
- Decrease in quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety and depression
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Our team will fight for the full monetary award your case warrants.
Fatal Opioid Cases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), tens of thousands of people lose their lives due to opioid overdose every year. The opioid epidemic has contributed to untold heartbreak, damage, and immense pain. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report further indicates that roughly 130 people lose their lives to an opioid overdose every day.
When this happens, surviving family members could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable parties. Damages often awarded in a wrongful death claim are similar to damages in a personal injury case. They may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Financial support the deceased contributed to the household
- Loss of parental guidance or consortium
The intention of damages in a wrongful death case is to compensate the family members for the loss of their loved one and the related consequences of this loss. Our lawyers can represent victims or family members in Boca Raton opioid cases.
Liability in an Opioid Injury Case
Pharmaceutical companies played a significant role in increasing opioid use in the past decades. Their marketing strategies convinced people that these drugs are safe, which is far from the truth. Our opioid lawyers will assist in holding those liable financially accountable for your damages.
Depending on your case, these parties may include:
- Pharmaceutical companies: Many pharmaceutical companies have already paid settlements to compensate for their role in the opioid epidemic. For instance, NPR reports that a court ruling ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $465 million as a settlement to victims of the opioid epidemic.
- Opioid distributors:Dealers have also been held accountable for the opioid epidemic since they deceptively market an unsafe drug. Such companies are usually held responsible under the Florida product liability laws when they distribute a harmful product to consumers.
- Medical professionals:Doctors, pharmacists, and hospitals have a duty of care to provide competent services, which includes prescribing safe drugs to their patients and warning them about the side effects in advance. For example, Costco has been held accountable for misconduct in their pharmacies due to improper filings of prescriptions. Doctors will be held liable for medical malpractice if they prescribe a harmful drug to their patients.
An opioid lawyer from Dolman Law Group can help you seek justice from the drug manufacturers, prescribing doctor, or other liable party in Boca Raton if you were injured or lost a loved one to opioid misuse.
Contact Our Boca Raton Opioid Lawyer for Legal Help
If you've suffered harm due to opioid use, you deserve a lawyer that will not be afraid to hold the liable parties accountable for their actions. At the Dolman Law Group, we strongly believe in giving victims a voice. Our team will advocate for your rights and strive to get total compensation for your damages.
Call our firm for a free case review and discuss the available legal options.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
301 Yamato Road, Suite 1240
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561-220-4963