Purdue Pharma, the company that launched the pain-killing drug Oxycontin in 1996, filed for bankruptcy last September. Today it was announced that the public would finally be able to start filing claims against the company for wrongdoing.
Between 1999 and 2017, 72% of deaths by opioids were linked to prescription drugs like Oxycontin. It’s estimated that over 1.7 million people are addicted to opioids in the US.
Purdue already faces criminal and civil charges from the United States Department of Justice and thousands of lawsuits from state and local governments for their production and promotion of Oxycontin. This latest development allows individuals affected personally by the drug company to sue. The federal judge overseeing the bankruptcy case set June 30, 2020 as the deadline to file a claim.
Latest Developments
Last October, we wrote about how Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, the owners of the company prior to its bankruptcy, are setting aside billions of dollars to pay off Oxycontin settlements. Yet, neither the company nor the family behind it has admitted to any wrongdoing.
These new suits against Purdue are strictly for individuals and entities (like hospitals, for instance) who have been directly affected by Oxycontin and other Purdue products, as opposed to opioids in general.
Though the settlement amount is unknown at this point, Purdue did reach an agreement estimated to be worth $10 billion with some state and local governments last year.
It is also unclear how many people have been affected by Purdue’s products, though reports of Oxycontin abuse surfaced as early as 1997.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prescription and illicit opioids have been linked to more than 400,000 deaths nationwide since the year 2000. Millions of other people have likely struggled with an addiction to opioids, and an estimated 500,000 children have been born with opioid withdrawals.
Join the Cause
If you or someone you know has been affected by an opioid addiction related to Oxycontin, you may be entitled to compensation. Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. has been fighting for individuals affected by the opioid crisis for years and our attorneys have decades of experience with pharmaceutical mass tort claims.
Contact us as soon as possible to file your claim before the June 30 deadline and continue to follow our blog for updated news about these new lawsuits and settlements.
Contact us today to discuss your case during a free consultation. We look forward to helping you and your family get the justice you deserve.