Oxycontin Manufacturer Settles 8.3 Billion Dollar Settlement

The opioid epidemic has ravaged Texas and the United States with drug overdoses for years now. Much of the problems concerning this epidemic has been linked back to the drug makers of these painkillers. Through extensive investigations and multiple lawsuits, it has been determined that the makers of these prescription medications knew the addiction risks posed by their opioid medication and failed to disclose these risks to the public and to medical professionals. Recently, the makers of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, have reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice and agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges to resolve their role in the country’s opioid crisis. They have agreed to pay $8.3 billion.

How Much Money Will Go To Families?

While $8.3 billion may seem like a large sum of money, the reality is that this money is not designed to go specifically to families that have suffered due to opioid overdoses caused by this ongoing drug epidemic. The Purdue Pharma settlement will be paid out as follows:

• $225 million will go to the US Justice Department

• $1.7 billion will go towards addressing claims made in other lawsuits

• $3.54 billion will be paid as a criminal fine

• $2.8 billion will be paid as a civil penalty (this penalty will compete with other claims in bankruptcy court, as Purdue Pharma has filed for bankruptcy)

Members of the Sackler family that were also named in the lawsuit have agreed to pay an additional $225 million and have given up ownership in Purdue Pharma. Virtually none of this money will be earmarked specifically for victims and families who have been adversely affected by the side effects of synthetic narcotics and prescription opioids. Critics of this settlement say that it lets drug companies, and its owners, off too lightly for their roles in creating the opioid crisis that has claimed more than 400,000 American lives over the last few decades. The Justice Department has defended this settlement and said that it is “significant.” Officials with the DOJ have noted that the Department would forgo much of the $8 billion in fines and allow that money to be directed towards other creditors in the bankruptcy case involving Purdue Pharma. This could, in turn, be directed towards communities that have been harmed by the opioid crisis.

How Can an OxyContin Attorney Help?

If you or a loved one are suffering, or have suffered from opioid addiction complications due to OxyContin, turn to the team at Mike Love & Associates, LLC for help with your case today. We have extensive experience helping clients in cases involving overdose deaths, and we understand the toll this can take on individuals and their family members. We want to help you take on Purdue Pharma if OxyContin has caused you harm. Our opioid and NAS attorneys will investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This could include:

• Any medical expenses related to the opioid problem

• Lost wages and benefits if you are unable to work

• Pain and suffering damages

• Loss of quality of life damages

• Possible punitive damages against Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin

When you need a skilled OxyContin attorney by your side, you can contact us for a free consultation or by calling us at (936) 632-2000.

Auto Recalls Hit Record High: Is Your Car Safe?

Recalls on defective auto parts have hit record highs for the third year in a row. In 2016, 53.2 million vehicles were recalled and 927 campaigns were enacted. The Takata airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, involving over 42 million vehicles. Recalls on Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors make up the rest of the list. These auto manufacturers are liable for injuries caused by these parts and must be diligent in addressing the issue. Toyota recently paid $1.2 billion to the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to fix an accelerator issue. Given that there are more recalls than ever, let’s take a moment to go over some helpful tips for dealing with a recall that involves your vehicle.

Questions to Ask About Your Recall

• How serious is the recall? There may be a long delay in repairing your vehicle, depending on its size. Many recalls will involve a component that is not essential to the vehicle's operation. In these cases, it is still safe to drive, but your car may not be operating at full efficiency. In other cases, you may receive a recall notice that lets you know you need to stop driving altogether. The manufacturer should provide you a loaner vehicle until the repairs are complete. They are also legally required to notify affected vehicle owners promptly.

• What can be done to fix the issue? The dealer should be replacing the part for free. In some cases, they may ask to repurchase the vehicle or replace the vehicle entirely. If your auto manufacturer is not complying with fixing your recall, you should call the dealer department and show them your recall notice. If you are still experiencing issues, contact the vehicle manufacturer. In some cases, you should file a claim with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA’s website has an online form for car safety reports. This is a great place to report a suspected recall and other vehicle defects.

Cases involving injuries that result from recalls can get complicated, and having an experienced auto accident attorney can help you get the coverage you need from the auto manufacturer. Often, products that have not been recalled can be proven to cause serious accidents with the help of product liability lawyers and accident reconstruction specialists. Contact the Lufkin product liability attorney at Mike Love & Associates, LLC for more information about defective products and obtaining compensation for your recall-related injuries.