Kansas City Opioid Lawsuit Attorneys
We Fight for Justice on Behalf of Injured Clients
The opioid crisis has resulted in more than half a million deaths since 2000. It is expected to cause 650,000 more deaths over the next 10 years. At Bertram & Graf, L.L.C., we believe pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors must be held accountable in court. In many cases, they used deceptive marketing practices to sell opioid prescriptions, knowing full well the harmful side effects the drug could have. If you have suffered addiction or depedence from an opioid prescription, or a loved one has died from an overdose, we will fight diligently on your behalf as you seek justice.
Our firm has represented numerous plaintiffs in opioid lawsuit cases, including:
- Cities
- Counties
- Native American tribes
- Hospitals
Our Kansas City opioid attorneys will analyze your situation and represent you against drug manufacturers. Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact our office today to receive a free initial case evaluation.
The Dangers of Opioid Drugs
Opioids are narcotic drugs used to relieve pain. They have a similar composition as heroin, and create a sense of euphoria in patients. Patients who receive opioids will build up a tolerance over time, meaning they need more of the drug to feel relief. When taken for a long period of time or in a large dose, opioids may cause dependency, sometimes leading to full-blown addiction.
There are several common types of opioid drugs, include:
- Vicodin®
- Morphine
- Codeine
- OxyContin®
Because of the euphoria they produce, these drugs are very addicting. Patients receiving these drugs for mild or chronic pain could quickly become dependent, and studies have shown that a high percentage of opioid prescriptions in the U.S. are being misused. Opioids suppress the central nervous system, which slows down a person’s breathing and blocks nerve signal transmission to the brain. This could result in an overdose.
Understanding the Liability of Pharmaceutical Companies
Manufacturers of opioid drugs are being held liable in a variety of lawsuits. Investigations have shown that the pharmaceutical companies overemphasized the benefits of opioids while downplaying their risks. They also paid third-party patient advocacy groups to help them market the drug, and used deceptive marketing practices to push the sale of opioids in the United States. While thousands of people are suffering and dying from opioid addictions, these companies are raking in multi-billion dollar profits.
There are several pharmaceutical companies who are facing liability for opioid injuries and death:
- Johnson & Johnson
- Purdue Pharma
- Novartis
- Endo Pharmaceuticals
- Watson Pharmaceuticals
- Abbott Labs
- Covidien
The “Big Three” distribution companies, Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corp., and AmerisourceBergen Corp., are estimated to be responsible for distributing about 80% of opioid drugs throughout the United States. They are also facing lawsuits in relation to opioid injuries, because they failed to monitor and investigate suspicious orders of opioids. Our firm is dedicated to helping clients hold these companies responsible for their negligence and deception.
What If My Loved One Has Passed Away Due to Opioid Overdose?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioid overdose death continued to increase by 27.9 percent in the United States from 2015 to 2016 in nearly every segment of the country, even though there has been a greater public awareness and added measures set forth throughout communities for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). In 2016, there were 42,249 deaths due to accidental opioid use, which is 66 percent of all fatalities due to drug overdoses that year. Additionally, overdose deaths from heroin increased by 20 percent.
When your loved one has passed away after an opioid overdose, there are certain steps you can take to build a strong case. If your loved one passed away due to an overdose from heroin or another street drug, you may still be eligible to recover compensation if the addiction began with being prescribed an opioid.
You need to recover all of the evidence that you can related to the overdose, such as information regarding who prescribed the medication to him/her, the amount of medication your loved one was taking, the prescribing doctor’s or pharmacy’s knowledge of the dosage, and the company who produced the opioids. Once you have gathered these items, it is critical to contact our Kansas City dangerous drug lawyers at Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. so that we can start litigating your case right away. The faster you obtain experienced legal representation, the faster we can begin collecting evidence to protect your family’s case.
Compassionate & Effective Dangerous Drug Attorneys - (888) 398-2277
Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. has extensive experience representing injured clients. If you have suffered addiction to prescription opioids, our team of Kansas City dangerous drug attorneys will guide you through the legal process. We are committed to meeting your specific legal needs, and will fight aggressively on your behalf. Our compassionate lawyers will answer your questions, help you file the necessary documents, and represent you tenaciously in court against those responsible.
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Contact us today to discuss your situationwith one of our experienced opioids attorneys.