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The Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic ignited in the late 1990s after pharmaceutical companies purposely misled the medical community by falsely claiming that prescription painkillers weren’t addictive. Doctors immediately started prescribing opioids at alarming rates, which led to the widespread abuse of both prescription and non-prescription drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. As of 2017, over 400,000 Americans have passed away from overdoses involving prescription and synthetic opioids, making these drugs the #1 cause of unintentional death in the United States. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that opioids are responsible for over 100 preventable fatalities every day.
Attorney Peirce Comments on Johnson & Johnson Settlement
An Oklahoma judge has ruled that Johnson & Johnson and Purdue Pharma triggered the opioid epidemic by utilizing deceptive marketing tactics to increase their respective profit margins. Alyssa Choiniere, a reporter for Observer-Reporter, interviewed Attorney Robert Peirce, a partner at Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., who is representing Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, and other regional counties in a similar lawsuit.
According to Attorney Peirce, the $572 million ruling against Johnson & Johnson could lead to a global settlement, which “would likely involve a combination of financial payouts to governments and funding for treatment facilities.” In the article, he explains, “They want to try to settle these things, and I think that’s where the pressure has gone…the ruling publicized the manufacturing company’s involvement in the crisis. It basically let the public know that all these manufacturers were very much involved. It’s pretty hard for even a layperson to say, ‘Opioids aren’t going to hurt you. Opioids aren’t habit-forming.’”
The article further details how the opioid crisis costs Fayette and Washington millions of dollars each year; in fact, 90% of the crimes in Fayette County can be linked to the misuse of opioids and other drugs. Fayette County Commissioner David Lohr is hoping that future negotiations with the negligent pharmaceutical companies will produce funding for a local treatment center.
Robert Peirce & Associates P.C. Stands Against Negligent Pharmaceutical Companies
Contact the lawyers at Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. if you or a loved one has suffered harm after using dangerous prescription drugs, including opioids. Defective and inherently dangerous drugs can – and often do – lead to life-changing addictions, medical conditions, and disabilities. Fortunately, our skilled and compassionate legal team has over 40 years of experience and the resources to effectively represent your claim in court. With our assistance, you can hold the negligent manufacturer accountable for your personal and financial losses, recover damages that facilitate your recovery, and protect other innocent people from facing similar circumstances.
Have your rights been violated? Don’t hesitate to call Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. at (844) 383-0565 to retain knowledgeable guidance and powerful advocacy.