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Villarreal & Begum Last Updated Date: May 23rd, 2023

Suit Against Opioid Maker Moves Forward.

opioid

A new development has taken place in one of the latest lawsuits against major opioid makers. The judge rejected the claims of Purdue Pharma and Teva Pharmaceuticals that the state of Rhode Island failed to claim interference with a public right in their public nuisance lawsuit. According to the state Supreme Court, the state has shown enough proof to continue forward with the case. For a public nuisance claim in Rhode Island,  a public right has to be violated in some way. Public health has been held as a public right in the past. Just like water and air, the public has a right to be free from an overabundance of opioids.

The defendant pharmaceutical companies claim that the state has not been able to show causation. However, the judge says this issues is a factual question and usually decided by the jury. The judge goes on to say, “Viewing the allegations of causation in the amended complaint in the light most favorable to the State, the court finds that reasonable minds could infer that the actions of manufacturers and distributors could have caused the current opioid crisis that plagues Rhode Island.”

Several parties are named in the state’s lawsuit. Everything from big opioid makers, distributors, and even chairman of  Pharma companies are involved. Richard Sackler is one of the former chairman and president named in the suit. He is accused of leading a large nationwide deception marketing campaign to downplay the risks of these drugs. Rhode Island is not the only state that has taken legal action against big drug companies. In fact, 48 states have launched lawsuits just against Purdue Pharma. So far, only two have settled. Purdue is the company behind the popular opioids OxyContin and MS Contin. Both drugs have been widely abused by users and are considered very addictive.

Have You Been Harmed From a Dangerous Drug?

If you have been injured from a harmful medical product? Dangerous drugs and medical devices harm thousands of people each year. If you have been injured due to a pharmaceutical or medical manufacturers negligence, you need an attorney to recover damages for the pain and suffering you have experienced. Villarreal and Begum know exactly how to fight these companies to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at our office or contact us online. We are available day and night to set up your free consultation.