Overdoses from fentanyl are quickly becoming one of the leading types of non-natural fatalities affecting communities across the country. Adding to the crisis is the hundreds of pounds of the drug municipalities see coming into their jurisdiction, with massive increases over the previous years.
One recent bust in New York City recovered enough illegal fentanyl to kill as many as 32 million people, almost three times as many people that live in the city. Another seizure north of Philadelphia uncovered enough to cause 500,000 fatal overdoses - just one kilogram’s worth.
The influx of the deadly opioid into the country is fueled by the nation’s demand, with hundreds of thousands of addicts turning to heroin, morphine, and fentanyl to feed their growing addictions. Many addicts developed their drug habits after struggling with dependency on prescription painkiller drugs like OxyContin.
Years before fentanyl became the drug of choice for addicts and dealers, big drug companies like Purdue Pharma were pushing new and powerful opioid painkiller drugs on doctors to prescribe to patients. Until recently, most doctors did not prescribe drugs as strong as OxyContin to manage long term pain but and aggressive marketing campaign by companies like Purdue Pharma reshaped the medical landscape.
Thousands of doctors across the country took gifts and accepted speaking fees from drug companies to advocate on behalf of prescribing OxyContin for “off label” purposes. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates what medical conditions drug companies can market their products for, treating physicians can administer medication for other conditions they deem appropriate.
Despite the federal government criminally charging Purdue Pharma and three-executives for misleading doctors about the drug’s risk of addiction, physicians across the country still continue to “manage” pain with opioid medications. Sadly, many of these patients taking the medication have no idea of the risk they face of developing a dependency on the drugs and the potential long term health consequences.
The painkiller drug overdose lawyers of The Cochran Firm, DC are currently investigating claims on behalf of family members who lost loved ones to a drug overdose after being prescribed powerful opioid drugs. As a law firm committed to protecting the public, we feel strongly any wrongdoing by drug companies should be exposed and held accountable.
If your family lost a loved one to a drug overdose after he or she was prescribed opioid painkiller drugs like OxyContin, you may have legal rights to hold the drugmaker accountable. Contact our office by calling 1-800-THE FIRM (843-3476) or by filling out an online contact form with the details of your case.
Our personal injury lawyers in Washington DC understand these are delicate situations and work hard to represent our clients with dignity and respect as they attempt to make sense of their loved one’s passing. Our consultations are free, confidential, and our attorneys do not collect any fees until they win your case.
