The opioid addiction epidemic throughout the United States is a serious one and it is one that is prompting awareness campaigns as well as legislative action. Furthermore, certain legal claims have been filed after stipulating that opioid related industries have failed to warn consumers about the addictive qualities of the drugs. Beaver County recently announced that it is suing for millions of dollars in damages from drug distributors, physicians and opioid manufacturers. Opioid issues around the country are now known because more cities are bringing forward legal claims against those who could be held responsible.

The lawsuit claims that 23 different drug companies and physicians led consumers to believe that these medications were not addictive and that the county then had to spend taxpayer dollars responding to overdoses and hundreds of deaths. In 2016 alone, Beaver County was home to 102 overdose deaths. In early 2017, more than 50 deaths had already occurred. Overdose issues cost a great deal of money even when someone’s life can be saved, but the toll of those killed in overdoses has been on the rise recently, causing lawmakers and authorities to think critically about measures that could help to curb to epidemic.

The lawsuit claims that the drug companies and doctors went out of their way to misrepresent the addictive qualities of the drugs. Statements from physicians and drug companies allegedly show that the drugs were not addictive. The opioid epidemic is affecting Pennsylvania quite seriously and more counties around Pennsylvania may choose to take similar action.

Such a claim may become part of a product liability lawsuit. If you believe that you have grounds to pursue a product liability claim, it is in your best interests to gather relevant evidence and schedule a consultation with an experienced products liability lawyer. The Law Office of Mark A. Smith is here to help you if you’ve been injured by a defective product.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.