Florida Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Attorney (2024 Update)

Quick Summary

• Florida patients who used Suboxone are now filing a “Florida Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit” over severe tooth decay linked to the drug.
• This article provides the latest 2024 updates, what you need to know about these Suboxone teeth lawsuits, and how to pursue your claim if you’re affected.
• If you or someone you know has experienced complications due to Suboxone, Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is here to assist. With a strong reputation for representing plaintiffs, we are dedicated to securing the justice and compensation you deserve.

How S&C Can Help With Your Claim?

S&C can help with your claim by focusing on dangerous drug cases, including Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits in Florida. Our skilled attorneys are well-versed in the complexities of these cases and are committed to obtaining the compensation you deserve.

We provide:

• Free initial consultations are available to discuss your case and legal options.
• Contingency-fee basis: You only pay if we win your case.
• Comprehensive support throughout the legal process.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Overview

The momentum behind Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits is growing as an increasing number of users report severe dental problems. These lawsuits allege that the manufacturers, Indivior and Aquestive Therapeutics, failed to adequately warn users about the risks of dental problems associated with Suboxone use.

Significant legal battles and developments surrounding Suboxone lawsuits have emerged, focusing on issues such as tooth decay and other dental health problems.

Federal Suboxone lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by Judge J. Philip Calabrese in the Northern District of Ohio. Additionally, the Suboxone class action lawsuit consolidates multiple individual lawsuits related to dental injuries caused by Suboxone into multidistrict litigation.

The new warning labels for Suboxone, updated in 2022, reference these severe dental issues, but many users argue that the warnings came too late. The number of Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits is on the rise, and lawyers across the country are investigating hundreds of potential cases.

Indivior and Aquestive Therapeutics have faced significant legal battles over Suboxone. While Indivior settled without admitting any wrongdoing, the lawsuits against both companies continue to pile up. Suboxone’s acidity, along with its propensity to induce dry mouth, hastens enamel erosion, ultimately resulting in serious dental problems.

The consolidation of these lawsuits into an MDL helps streamline pretrial processes by bringing similar cases together. This approach allows for coordinated discovery and early bellwether trials, which can provide valuable insights into how future cases might be resolved.

What Is Suboxone?

According to AAC, Suboxone is a combination medication used to treat opioid addiction. It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine helps decrease withdrawal symptoms and reduces opioid dependence by blocking the ‘opioid effect’—preventing opioids from activating pain receptors in the brain. Naloxone, on the other hand, is included to deter misuse [1].

Suboxone is available in two forms: a tablet and suboxone sublingual films. Both forms are designed to dissolve in the mouth, making them easy to administer. The prescription suboxone film has gained popularity due to its convenient use, but it’s also been linked to severe dental issues.

The acidic nature of these films exacerbates the erosion of tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and other dental problems.

A complete medication-assisted treatment plan with Suboxone typically combines the medication with substance abuse counseling and primary care. This holistic approach aims to address both the physical and psychological aspects of opioid addiction.

However, the dental risks associated with Suboxone have raised concerns, leading to numerous lawsuits and calls for better warnings and alternative opioid addiction treatment options.

A study found an increase in the risk of adverse dental outcomes associated with sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone compared with transdermal buprenorphine and oral naltrexone. Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone is acidic in nature – Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Suboxone Side Effects and Symptoms

One of the most concerning side effects of Suboxone is its impact on dental health. The sublingual film form of Suboxone contains acids that can erode tooth enamel, leading to increased risks of tooth decay. This erosion exposes the softer inner tooth to decay, causing significant dental issues over time.

According to Ophelia, key dental side effects of Suboxone include [2]:

• Tooth Enamel Erosion: The acids in Suboxone can wear down the tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay.
• Tooth Decay: As enamel erodes, the softer inner tooth is exposed, leading to significant dental problems.
• Tooth Sensitivity and Pain: Many users report increased sensitivity and pain due to enamel erosion and decay.
• Tooth Loss: Severe decay can result in tooth loss, necessitating comprehensive dental treatments.

Another common side effect of Suboxone is xerostomia or dry mouth. This condition reduces saliva production, which is essential for maintaining oral health.

Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles, so a reduction in saliva can lead to an increased risk of dental problems, including cavities and gum disease.

Dry Mouth and Its Implications:

• Reduced Saliva Production: Saliva is crucial for neutralizing acids and cleaning the mouth. Reduced saliva can lead to more dental issues.
• Increased Risk of Cavities: Without enough saliva, the mouth becomes more acidic, promoting bacterial growth and cavity formation.
• Gum Disease: A dry mouth environment can also contribute to gum disease.

Enamel erosion coupled with dry mouth can culminate in intense dental decay, necessitating comprehensive dental treatments. Many Suboxone users have reported experiencing tooth sensitivity, pain, and even tooth loss.

These side effects have led to a surge in Suboxone tooth decay claims and lawsuits as users seek compensation for their dental injuries and associated costs.

According to JAMA, multiple studies have indicated a strong link between Suboxone use and dental issues. In 2023, a study of Suboxone adverse event reports revealed that sublingual Suboxone had a higher rate of adverse dental events compared to other forms of buprenorphine [3].

The FDA identified 305 cases of dental problems related to Suboxone, with 131 being severe, indicating that this issue is both widespread and serious.

This scientific evidence forms the basis for many of the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits currently being filed.

FDA Warnings Regarding Suboxone

In January 2022, the FDA issued a public warning linking oral buprenorphine, including Suboxone, with dental problems.

The FDA’s adverse event reporting system had shown a high rate of dental disorder claims related to Suboxone use, prompting this action [4].

In June 2022, the FDA updated the warning label for Suboxone to include these dental risks. The new label specifically mentions:

• Severe dental decay
• Dental infection or abscesses
• Tooth erosion
• Oral infections
• Partial and total tooth loss

This update was a significant step in acknowledging the scientific link between Suboxone use and severe dental issues.

Despite these dental risks, the FDA maintains that the benefits of buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorder and pain outweigh the risks. However, the updated warnings serve as a crucial reminder for users to be vigilant about their dental health and seek regular dental check-ups while using Suboxone.

How Do You Qualify for a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?

To qualify for a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, you must have used Suboxone film or tablets and suffered severe tooth decay and dental injuries without being adequately warned about the risks.

Additionally, you should have lost three or more teeth following exposure to Suboxone sublingual strips, potentially leading to litigation and lawsuits related to Suboxone tooth decay.

Consulting a Suboxone lawsuit lawyer can help determine eligibility and guide you through the legal process.

The Status Of The Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit in Florida

The Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Florida is currently being handled through multidistrict litigation (MDL). In February 2024, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized these lawsuits to streamline the legal process.

This consolidation of tooth decay Suboxone lawsuits aims to manage the increasing number of cases efficiently and ensure consistent rulings across similar claims of dental injuries.

District Judge Philip Calabrese in the Northern District of Ohio is overseeing the pretrial proceedings and early bellwether trials. This consolidation aims to expedite the resolution of multiple cases and ensure consistent rulings.

As of April 2024, over 100 Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits have been filed, with new cases being added regularly. The first status conference was held on March 7, 2024, at the Federal Courthouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

During this conference, Judge Calabrese set guidelines for handling privileged materials and outlined the procedure for plaintiffs to submit a master list of cases.

Recent developments include:

• The denial of the Indivior’s motion for bifurcation is a victory for the plaintiffs as it allows for a more streamlined discovery process.
• Ongoing arguments about bifurcating causation discovery, with plaintiffs’ lawyers advocating against separation to avoid prolonging the litigation.

The Suboxone tooth decay litigation, particularly in the Northern District of Ohio, highlights scientific evidence linking Suboxone sublingual films to severe tooth decay.

The aim is to secure just compensation for those who have endured serious dental injuries as a result of Suboxone usage.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Settlement Amounts in Florida

Settlement amounts in Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits vary widely depending on several factors. The severity of dental problems often plays a pivotal role, with graver instances of tooth decay, oral infections, and tooth loss resulting in larger settlement amounts.

Plaintiffs who have suffered extensive dental injuries typically receive more substantial compensation. Estimated settlement amounts for severe cases can range from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the specifics of the individual case and the extent of the dental damage.

Individuals in Florida who have suffered severe dental injuries due to Suboxone are encouraged to seek legal assistance to explore their options for compensation.

Filing a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit in Florida

Filing a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Florida generally involves having used Suboxone before June 2022 and experiencing dental issues. Key steps include collecting evidence such as dental records, X-rays, photos, and prescription records. An attorney will help guide you through the legal process to present your case effectively.

Legal Strategies and Challenges

Legal strategies in Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits often focus on proving ‘failure to warn.’ This involves showing that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the drug’s dental risks but failed to provide adequate warnings to users.

Product liability lawyers use documentation from medical and dental appointments to establish a link between Suboxone use and dental complications.

Difficulties in these lawsuits encompass:

• Disagreements over the management of privileged materials and safeguarded information during pretrial discovery.
• Plaintiffs’ lawyers advocating for a streamlined discovery process
• Defendants argue that some document requests are too demanding or not feasible.
• The court sets guidelines for handling privileged materials to prevent the waiver of privilege or work-product protections during the litigation.

Types of Evidence To Present

Plaintiffs must present various forms of evidence to support a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit. Dental health records, X-ray images, and photos documenting the progression of dental problems are crucial. These records help establish the link between Suboxone use and the resulting dental issues.

Collecting billing records and receipts for dental treatments is vital for documenting the financial impact of tooth decay. Plaintiffs should preserve evidence of their dental problems by:

• Documenting dental appointments
• Documenting treatments
• Documenting recommendations
• Documenting the progression of dental issues with photos and notes

This comprehensive evidence can strengthen the case and increase the chances of securing compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit in Florida?

The statute of limitations for a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Florida is typically four years. This means individuals have four years from the date they discovered or should have discovered the dental injuries linked to Suboxone use to file a lawsuit.

The discovery rule can extend this deadline in certain cases, allowing individuals to file a claim when they become aware of their dental injuries being linked to Suboxone use.

Related Articles:

• California Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
• Colorado Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
• New York Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Attorney

See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys have covered so far.

Get Your Free Consultation From Our Florida Suboxone Lawyers

The Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is dedicated to supporting you through difficult times. If you or a loved one has experienced complications from medications like Suboxone, contact us.

Our experienced team specializes in handling these cases and will guide you through the legal process. We will clarify your rights and evaluate your eligibility for a lawsuit related to these complications. Receive a free case evaluation, and remember, we only charge fees if we win your case.

You can rely on our strong commitment to your case. We treat it with the same care as if you were part of our own family. Contact us today for a thorough review of your concerns.

Reference:

1. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone
2. https://ophelia.com/blog/suboxone-and-oral-health
3. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2799415
4. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-about-dental-problems-buprenorphine-medicines-dissolved-mouth-treat-opioid-use-disorder