Irvine Opioid Lawyer

Nearly everyone who has suffered a serious injury or undergone surgery has taken an opioid-based medication at some point for pain relief. Opioids are a useful tool in the pharmaceutical toolbox and are often made by big-name drug manufacturers. Doctors frequently prescribe them to alleviate their patients’ suffering.

As experienced drug overdose attorneys are all too aware, though, a well-meaning prescription can sometimes result in addiction and overdose. If you have been harmed by prescription opioid use or lost a loved one to an opioid-related death, an Irvine opioid lawyer could help you better understand your rights and determine whether you have a case.

Common Types of Prescription Opioids

Opioids bind to receptors throughout the body, essentially convincing the brain that the body is not in pain. As a result, they are incredibly effective at minimizing or eliminating pain when over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are not strong enough.

Some of the more common prescription opioids include:

  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl (e.g. Actiq, Fentora)
  • Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (e.g. Norco, Vicodin)
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
  • Meperidine (Demerol)
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin)
  • Oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet)

Due to the number of opioids on the market, it may be important to speak with a skilled Irvine opioid lawyer if you want to seek civil damages through a personal injury claim.

What Are the Dangers of Prescription Addiction?

Generic opioids have the potential to be as dangerous as they are effective. It has recently been revealed that several drug companies actively hid this information from the public, and the first criminal charges have now been filed against some former drug executives. However, the dangers of opioids remain the same.

If taken over a period of time, opioids could trigger dependence. Even weaning dependency could cause serious problems, and full abstention may cause symptoms of withdrawal such as anxiety, depression, muscle cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In more serious cases, people taking opioids develop an addiction and may take risky measures to obtain an ongoing supply. In the worst of cases, overdoses occur from these drugs and a person’s addiction to them. While the greatest concentration of overdoses takes place in eastern and midwestern states, the CDC reports that California’s overdose rate is significantly rising.

How Does Someone File a Claim in Irvine?

If someone has been harmed by prescription opioids, an Irvine opioid attorney could help. It is very important to make sure, however, that any legal action is taken within two years of the date any opioid-related injuries occurred, or of the date of passing in a wrongful death action brought by a family member.

Lawsuits filed after this two-year deadline expires would likely be challenged by the opposing parties for failing to meet California’s statute of limitations. If so, the court would almost certainly dismiss the case according to California Code of Civil Procedures § 335.1. Additionally, it is important for victims of drug manufacturers’ negligence to provide a proof of claim which a dedicated legal professional could help victims with.

Seek Help From an Irvine Opioid Attorney Today

If you or a loved one are suffering due to an opioid-related injury or death, a compassionate Irvine opioid lawyer could help. Once retained, they could assess your case by listening to your story, reviewing your medical records, and speaking with family members and friends to better understand how opioids have impacted your life.

Legal counsel may be able to help you recover damages—either in advance of litigation or after filing a lawsuit—to cover medical bills, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation program fees, pharmacy expenses, lost wages or profits, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and mental anguish. To take the first steps towards monetary recovery, call today.