Leading Opioid Litigation Against Pharmacies, Distributors, and Manufacturers
Baron & Budd attorneys started the opioid multidistrict litigation (MDL) and are part of the team who filed one of the first lawsuits against the drug distributors. Our attorneys co-led the first AG trial to be completed against the pharmacies and have helped communities hold pharmacies, distributors and manufacturers accountable for the opioid epidemic in the United States.
The New York Times called the opioid multidistrict litigation (MDL) the “most complex in American legal history.”
Across the country, municipalities, states, cities, counties, and tribal nations have taken legal action against opioid distributors, manufacturers, and pharmacies for causing the opioid epidemic. Similar to the successful lawsuits launched against tobacco companies decades ago, they are seeking compensation for tremendous societal costs such as increased healthcare costs, emergency medical services, rehabilitation and law enforcement to name just a few areas.
Common Opiate Drugs
Nationally, from 1999 through 2016, more than 350,000 people in the U.S. died from an overdose involving opioids. More than half of those deaths, over 200,000 people, involved opioids prescribed by doctors for pain management. These include opioids such as OxyContin, Opana ER, Vicodin, and Duragesic, as well as generics like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.
Statistics show that many opiate addictions start with a prescription drug. Most of the overdoses from non-prescription opioids are also directly related to prescription pills. Tragically, after many opioid users become addicted and unable to obtain prescription pills, they turn to heroin for their fix. Prescription pain medication has been identified by the CDC as the strongest risk factor for heroin addiction.
Clients
We currently represent municipalities, states, cities, counties, and tribal nations all across the country.