A federal judge overseeing the bankruptcy case of a Connecticut-based pharmaceuticals company, Purdue Pharma, is now allowing personal injury claims to be filed against the company, including those from governments, hospitals, and individuals. The deadline to file a claim is June 30.
Purdue’s products include opioids and OxyContin, which have been linked to more than 400,000 U.S. deaths since 2000. Countless individuals that had been described opioids to treat their conditions have developed addictions to them, and it’s estimated that more than 500,000 babies have been born with opioid withdrawals.
It’s currently unclear how the company’s assets will be divided and how many families will receive compensation. Compensation will be most likely given to families who have been directly affected by Purdue’s products, not opioids generally.
Dangers of Opioids
While opioids had been prescribed heavily as painkillers, they have proven to be as addictive as drugs like heroin. Opioids also have side effects that can be dangerous, including sleep apnea, respiratory depression, and dependence. It’s also common for opioid user to overdose as a result of their increasing addiction.
It’s now known as an epidemic, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that from 1999 to 2014, sales of prescription opioid medications quadrupled.
It’s important to be cautious and aware of the various opioid medications that cause addiction in patients, including:
- Abstral® and Duragesic® (fentanyl)
- Butrans® and Belbuca® (buprenorphine)
- Demerol® (meperidine)
- Methadoes® and Dolophine® (methadone)
- Duramorph® (morphine)
- OxyContin® and Percocet® (oxycodone)
- Vicodin® (hydrocodone)
Available for You at All Hours
Zayas Law Firm knows that personal injury cases can be emotionally taxing, and that you may need our support and guidance throughout your recovery process. That’s why our lawyers strive to provide as much convenience as possible for our clients during this inconvenient time. We’re available 24/7 to speak with clients, we can book weekend and evening appointments, and we offer services in English or Spanish. We also offer free consultations for potential clients. We believe a successful partnership is based on mutual trust, which is why we strive to be as honest and communicative as possible in each of our cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured or fallen ill as a result of a defective drug or product, call Zayas Law Firm at (860) 854-9156, or contact us online. With more than 50 years of personal injury experience, our lawyers can be trusted to represent your interests and seek justice on your behalf. We believe negligent parties shouldn’t evade responsibility, no matter how powerful or well-known they are.