Articles Tagged with fentanyl

Opioid Executives Found Guilty of Illegally Pushing Fentanyl

Published on: May 3, 2019 | By Clay Hodges

Three years ago I wrote this column: My Challenge to Medical Device and Drug Companies: Put Me Out of Business! The point was straightforward: if companies would do the right thing, and properly test their medical devices, and carefully monitor the drugs they sell, and try to help patients instead of merely chasing profits, then I will stop being a product liability lawyer. Well, turns out my line of work may be safe for a long time. This week several executives from Insys Therapeutics were found guilty of racketeering. The jury found that these executives conspired to push sales of a deadly fentanyl drug, by increasing dosages and prescriptions. These guys are going to jail. And they should. The story that emerged from the two-month trial was hideous, and it proves yet again that without careful oversight companies will often harm public health in their pursuit of massive profits.

Before I bullet point some of the evidence developed at trial, start with this: the Centers for Disease Control estimates that well over 200,000 people have died from prescription opioids since 1996. Sit with that for a moment. More than 200,000 people have died from opioid overdoses. It is heart-wrenching. Now, add to this tragic statistic the narrative that several opioid companies, and not just Insys Therapeutics, pushed for more prescriptions and higher doses for decades, solely to increase sales and profits and employee bonuses.

Let’s take a look at the evidence from the Insys criminal trial:

Opioid Lawsuits: Drug Companies Develop Legal Defenses to Avoid Paying Claims

Published on: June 8, 2018 | By Clay Hodges

If you have read any newspaper in the last year, you know that prescription opioids have caused massive suffering in this country. Addiction has skyrocketed. Sadly, deaths from overdoses and even opioid-related suicides have dramatically increased as well. In 2016 alone over 14,000 overdose deaths were reported from natural and semi-synthetic opioids, and over 20,000 people died of overdose from synthetic opioids (mostly fentanyl). Centers for Disease Control. Opioids have become a huge public health problem and a national tragedy. Inevitably, litigation has followed the suffering, and more lawsuits are being filed each week.

Despite the addictions, injuries, and deaths, and despite reports of awful business practices by the makers of these prescription painkillers, defense lawyers have developed certain legal defenses to help these drug companies avoid liability. Let’s look at a few:

The FDA Approved the Drug, So It’s the Government’s Fault

Opioid Epidemic: Is Massive Litigation Inevitable?

Published on: August 9, 2017 | By Clay Hodges

Over the past few years, an opioid epidemic has caused horrific problems for many regions of the country. In 2015 alone, the US Department of Health and Human Services estimated that 12.5 million people misused prescription opioids, causing over 33,000 overdose deaths. In 2013, the opioid epidemic resulted in $78.5 billion in economic losses. In response to this tragic loss of life and the economic strain placed on many state and local governments, several lawsuits have begun.

What Exactly Are Opioids?

Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic forms of opiates (like morphine). Opiates are derived directly from the poppy plant while opioids are manufactured chemicals that are very similar to opiates.

★★★★★

I was involved in a case for the faulty hip replacements. Clay Hodges represented me. I can't say enough about how much he has helped me. Clay was able to win multiple settlements on my behalf with most of them being the maximum amount able to be awarded. Matt J.

Clay, thank you sir for making a disheartening experience at least palatable, you and your staff were honest, caring and understanding through the entire process of my wife’s hip replacements, while monetary settlements never make the pain and suffering end, it sometimes is the only way people can fight back to right a wrong. J. V.

We are absolutely pleased with how Clay Hodges handled my husband’s hip replacement claim. He always kept us informed of the progress. And, his work resulted in a settlement which we are extremely pleased. Thank you, Clay! Carol L. & Norm L.