Feldman & Pinto

The CDC has reported sharp increases in opioid addiction among pregnant women and the devastating effects on both the mothers and their newborns.

Insurance companies are experiencing significant cost increases as a result of the opioid epidemic. Insurance companies may be entitled to recover these costs from prescription opioid manufacturers, whose aggressive and misleading marketing tactics have contributed to the opioid crisis.

Labor unions have suffered significant adverse effects from the opioid epidemic. Prescription opioid manufacturers, marketers, and distributors have contributed to the opioid epidemic and may be liable to labor unions that have sustained costs related to the opioid crisis.

In the wake of more than 26,000 adverse event reports of injuries potentially caused by the contraceptive device Essure, the FDA has limited sales of the device and mandated new labeling.

Hospitals are facing unprecedented demands on hospital resources and personnel as a direct result of the opioid epidemic. Prescription opioid producers and marketers, as major contributors to the opioid crisis, may be liable to hospitals throughout the country for these opioid-epidemic-related costs.

Tysabri, an IV drug used to treat Crohn’s disease and MS, has been linked to a serious brain infection called Progressive Multifocal Leukeoencephalopathy (PML). PML can result in severe neurological disabilities or death.

Governmental entities, including states, counties, cities, and other municipalities, are sustaining exorbitant costs related to the opioid crisis. Prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors that have contributed to the opioid epidemic may be liable for these increased costs in government opioid litigation.

Hyland Teething Tablets, which are used to numb children’s teething pain, can contain toxic levels of the poison belladonna. At least 10 deaths and more than 400 injuries have been caused by this defective product.

The City of Philadelphia is moving ahead with plans to open safe injection sites for opioid users. These sites are intended to decrease deaths and other illnesses associated with opioid injections.

Users of the antipsychotic drug Abilify have a significantly increased risk of developing a gambling addiction. The drug controls the body’s senses of motivation and reward by acting on the dopamine system.

An increased potential for medical malpractice lawsuits is among the many costs experienced by hospitals as a result of the opioid epidemic.