State and municipal governments and drug corporations have reached a number of agreements to combat the opioid addiction and overdose crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Services, the epidemic has claimed the lives of more than 760,000 Americans since 1999.
Four companies that supplied opioid medications, despite skyrocketing rates of addiction and overdose fatalities, are involved in a $26 billion settlement with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country.
The settlement is moving forward after 42 states, including Texas, have got on board. Here at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, our Houston medical malpractice lawyers know how settlements like these can provide relief to victims and families suffering from addiction.
The Settlement Involves U.S. Drug Manufacturing Giants
On September 4, 2021, drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson announced that the settlement was going through, and medication maker Johnson & Johnson also released a statement. That was the deadline the four companies had to decide whether there was ample support by the states for the plan to move forward.
The three largest drug distributors in the nation are AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. These companies announced that 42 states have consented to the $26 billion opioid settlement. The number of states that have consented to Johnson & Johnson’s part of the settlement was not immediately available.
The Process Is Far From Over
The $26 billion opioid settlement was first announced in June of 2021. As stipulated in the agreement, states had a month to determine whether or not to join the pact. After that, it was up to the corporations to decide whether or not there were enough states that agreed to continue.
Local governments will have to decide whether or not to sign on and discontinue their cases during the following phase of the deal. On January 2, 2022, the corporations will have to reassess whether enough local governments have signed on to execute the agreement.
Only a few days before, a judge had authorized a settlement between OxyContin producer Purdue Pharma and almost 3,000 claimants in bankruptcy court. When everything is said and done, the Purdue deal may be valued at up to $10 billion.
Governments are planning to use a large portion of the $26 billion opioid settlement toward drug education and treatment programs as well as other efforts to combat the crisis.
There have been three government-related opioid trials. However, no verdict has been able to be reached. Governments, along with Texas personal injury attorneys, are anticipated to be involved in further trials in the future.
Opioid Attorneys in Texas
Victims of opioid overdose, as well as their families, should seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury company that is well-versed in the law and can assist you in obtaining financial compensation via a medical malpractice case. Many families of victims in Texas have been represented by the law offices of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and West Loop Law. Using powerful opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, or methadone should only be done for a limited time period of time. Whenever these drugs are administered inappropriately and an overdose or death occurs, a Houston opioid lawsuit lawyer can help victims fight for deserved compensation.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD can help you recover after being impacted by opioid addiction or overdose.
If you or a loved one has become addicted to opioids due to a negligent drug manufacturer, contact West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD right away at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
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