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As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the United States, more lawsuits are being filed against pharmaceutical companies for their role in creating and exacerbating the crisis.
While some of these lawsuits are still in their early stages, here are a few things that you should know about them.
1. The number of lawsuits is increasing rapidly.
So far, there have been more than 1,500 lawsuits filed against opioid manufacturers. This number of opioid lawsuits is likely to continue to grow in 2022, given the recent success of bellwether and jury trials.
Many opioid lawsuits began in 2021 and are finishing up in 2022. Here are a few of the opioid lawsuits to keep an eye on:
- National Opioid Settlement: In February, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors finalized nationwide settlements over their role in the opioid addiction crisis, an announcement that clears the way for $26 billion to flow to nearly every state and local government in the U.S.
- New York and Ohio Bellwether Trials: These are two damages trials that will take place against opioid manufacturers. Napoli Shkolnik’s attorneys were selected for these cases and they will continue in 2022 with the bellwether trials.
2. Lawsuits are being brought by a variety of parties.
The plaintiffs in these lawsuits include states, cities, and counties as well as individual plaintiffs. This diversity of plaintiffs means that there is a lot of potential for different outcomes in different cases.
3. There is a lot of money at stake.
The opioid lawsuits have the potential to be very costly for the pharmaceutical companies involved. In fact, some analysts have estimated that the total damages could reach as high as $250 billion.
4. Many of the lawsuits are still in their early stages.
Many of the opioid lawsuits are still in their early stages, and there is no guarantee that any of them will be successful. It is important to remember that these lawsuits are complex and can take many years to resolve.
5. There is a lot of support for the lawsuits.
There is a lot of public support for the opioid lawsuits, and this could help to sway the outcome in favor of the plaintiffs. A recent poll showed that more than two-thirds of Americans believe that pharmaceutical companies should be held responsible for the opioid epidemic.
Stay Informed and Learn More
As opioid lawsuits continue to develop, it is important to stay informed about the latest news and updates. By understanding the basics of these lawsuits, you can better understand the potential implications for the future.
If your community has been affected by the opioid epidemic, please don’t hesitate to contact Napoli Shkolnik for a free consultation. We can help you understand your options and guide you through the legal process.