There are often limited options for managing pain after suffering a severe injury, accident, or following a surgical procedure, and there are many chronic conditions that can leave sufferers with long-lasting and debilitating pain. For many, opioid drugs are often used as a source of relief, but opioid drugs come with a significant risk of addiction.
There is mounting evidence that physicians may be at fault for over-prescribing these potent and dangerous substances. There are even cases when physicians may be legally liable when patients become over-reliant and addicted to opioids. West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has some information on what you should know about medical malpractice and the opioid epidemic, including what opioid drugs are, the role physicians play in addition, and how you can obtain legal help from a Houston opioid overprescription lawyer.
Opioid Overdose Deaths Are on the Rise
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track the use and death rates of certain kinds of drugs, especially opioid drugs. The most recent data from 2017 reveals that there is an alarming upward trend in national death rates related to overdose, particularly in regards to synthetic opioid drugs such as fentanyl and related substances.
In 2016, more than 20,000 people lost their lives due to the use of synthetic opioids, and over 64,000 lives were lost due to overdoses overall. This figure has nearly doubled in the past decade.
There are many kinds of opioids available, including generic and brand name formulations. Some of the most common names for opioid drugs are:
- Morphine – Avinza, Kadian, Morphabond, or Roxanol
- Fentanyl – Actiq, Fentora, Abstral, or Onsolis
- Codeine – Vopac or Tylenol With Codeine Number 3
- Oxycodone – Oxycontin or Percocet
- Hydrocodone Vicodin or Norco
- Oxymorphone – Opana
All of these drugs can potentially cause an overdose that could result in death. According to the World Health Organization, there are three primary signs of opioid overdose, referred to as the “opioid overdose triad.” These symptoms include:
- Small or “pinpoint” size pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Decreased respiration, slowed breathing
These can indicate that an overdose is happening, representing a medical emergency. If these conditions go untreated, opioid overdose can lead to death as breathing slows and comes to a stop. Symptoms can worsen due to interaction with other medications, particularly sedatives or alcohol.
Doctor Responsibility for Opioid Prescriptions
In the United States, there are no over-the-counter opioid drugs available to manage pain. Under the law, all opioids are regulated and must be prescribed by a doctor while upholding a standard of care in the best interest of the patient.
Physicians have a duty to uphold a standard of care to their patients, including managing any prescribed medications. Although, there are certain cases when the patient’s best interests may be overlooked, particularly when the physician has a financial stake in making sure that the patient returns.
There have been cases when these so-called “pill mill” doctors have written prescriptions for tens of thousands of doses in complete disregard of the patient’s safety and without consideration of the risk of addiction and potential overdose. These physicians are known to prey on vulnerable patients who are suffering from chronic pain, regardless of the ethical guidelines set by the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics. Unethical physicians may fail to offer alternative strategies to manage pain or properly monitor opiate usage by their patients. These are violations of the doctor’s duty of care. In these instances, injured parties or their families can turn to a Houston opioid lawsuit lawyer in order to pursue a medical malpractice case.
Opioid Overprescription Lawyers in Houston
Victims of opioid overdose and their families should consult with a qualified personal injury firm that understands the law and can help you fight for the right to legal compensation by filing a medical malpractice claim. West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, represents the families of Texans killed by opioid addiction. Physicians should only prescribe powerful opioids, including fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, or methadone, for short-term pain recovery. When these drugs are prescribed improperly and result in overdose or death, a Houston opioid lawsuit lawyer should be consulted in order to file a personal injury claim. Contact our offices today at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case.
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