More and more people are suffering from addiction to opiate painkillers, in what has become essentially an epidemic in the U.S. The problem is particularly severe in certain states, some of which have responded by filing lawsuits against opiate manufacturers for their role in creating—and sustaining—the opiate epidemic.

Families of people who have suffered from an opiate overdose may also choose to file a lawsuit on behalf of their loved ones; thought this cannot bring a loved one back to life, it can help with financial compensation, and even spreading the word about this serious issue.

Prince’s Alleged Opiate Overdose

A recent notable opiate lawsuit was filed by Prince’s next of kin after the famous singer’s untimely death from an alleged opiate overdose. Just over two years after Prince’s death in 2016, the singer’s family filed a lawsuit against the Illinois hospital that treated him in the week leading up to the fatal opiate overdose.

According to the lawsuit, Prince was not given proper medical care when he was admitted to the hospital on April 15, 2016 in an emergency visit. The lawsuit alleges that his subsequent death was directly caused by the hospital’s failure to properly diagnose and treat the opiate overdose.

Prosecutors reportedly believe that Prince’s opiate overdose was not caused by a prescription opiate like Vicodin, but rather a black market version with a much more powerful synthetic opiate known as fentanyl. After the initial opiate overdose from this drug on April 15, Prince is believed to have taken fentanyl again nearly a week later at his home, leading to a second opiate overdose—this time fatal.

A statement from the lawyers for the family noted that this tragedy could help spread knowledge of the opiate issue.

“What happened to Prince is happening to families across America. The family wishes through its investigation to shed light on this epidemic and how to better the fight to save lives. If Prince’s death helps save lives, then all was not lost.”

Background of the Opioid Epidemic

Opiates are prescribed to treat pain, but they are also extremely addictive because they produce a sense of euphoria by reducing the number of pain signals that the body sends to the brain. Unfortunately, these drugs can become extremely addictive, extremely quickly.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 42,000 overdose deaths from opioids in 2016 alone. According to the CDC, prescription opioid deaths have quadrupled since just 1999, a statistic that is tied closely with the increase in sales during that time. Indeed, around 183,000 people have died from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2015.

Filing an Opiate Overdose Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from opiate overdose or addiction because of a painkiller prescribed by your doctor, you may be able to join the growing number of opiate epidemic lawsuits. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by opiate addiction or overdose, it can help to alleviate some of the accompanying financial burden.

In general, opioid overdose death lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

If your loved died from an opioid overdose in the last three years from an addiction that began as a legal opioid prescription from his or her doctor, you may have a legal claim. Get help now by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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