Each day, our country loses 115 citizens due to opioid-related overdoses. In Florida, where the opioid crisis has been particularly bad, we lose at least 15 Floridians a day to opioids. In addition to the tragic deaths caused by addiction and overdose of these drugs, we spend countless amounts of money in law enforcement, first responders, medical care, addiction treatment, and foster care on a state and federal level in order to take care of those affected by the negative implications of opioids. Both at the state and federal level, lawsuits and legislation are being created in order to fight back against drug manufacturers and distributors who should be held accountable for their part in this epidemic.
Florida Fights Back
Because Florida is at ground zero of the opioid crisis, with a reported 35% increase in opioid-related deaths from 2015-2016, Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, wants to fight the manufacturers from a state level. Last year, she joined 40 other states in an investigation into these drug companies, and this year, she is considering joining a lawsuit organized in Ohio, which combines the efforts of several states to fight the opioid drug makers.
Municipalities and counties are also feeling the impact of the problems incurred by the community when addiction is so prolific. Cities such as Delray Beach and counties such as Palm Beach and Broward have also joined in the fight by bringing their own lawsuits against manufacturers.
There is also proposed legislation in Florida to fight the opioid crisis. This particular legislation has provisions to impose limits as short as three days for prescription Schedule II painkillers such as Oxycontin and Fentanyl. This would impact patients with acute pain who may only be able to receive prescription painkillers for three and up to seven days in certain cases, thus limiting the number of pills they can take at any given time.
Painkillers Lead to Deadly Addictions
When the crackdown on pill mills happened a few years ago across the state of Florida, many of those patients who were already addicted to these types of drugs began to search elsewhere to get a fix. Unfortunately, this has resulted in deaths due to heroin or other synthetic Fentanyl drug use. Until those who are responsible for the strong addiction to this class of drugs are held responsible, we will continue to bear the economic and non-economic consequences of this issue as a society.
Litigation is now underway in both state and federal courts against the wrongdoers responsible for the harm suffered by communities where addiction has impacted the most. In the event that you, someone you know, or an agency you work with has been affected by the opioid crisis, you should contact an attorney who is experienced in handling cases of injured patients against drug manufacturers and distributors. Your attorney may be able to help you recover financially from losses incurred due to opioid addiction.
References:
Mower, L. (n.d.). Florida attorney general tells opioid makers: Admit what you did and pay up. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from http://miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article195479064.html
Reedy, J. (2018, February 4). Doctors Concerned Florida Opioids Bills Would Go Too Far. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from https://usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2018-02-04/doctors-concerned-florida-opioids-bills-would-go-too-far
