Louisiana Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit (Free Case Review)

Quick Summary

• The Louisiana Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit addresses the severe dental problems many people have experienced as a side effect of taking Suboxone. If you’re taking Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment and are suffering from tooth decay, cavities, or tooth loss, you may be entitled to compensation.
• The Suboxone class action lawsuit is relevant here as it consolidates individual claims into a larger legal proceeding, potentially leading to significant settlements and highlighting the widespread impact of Suboxone on dental health. This article will guide you through what the lawsuit entails, how to qualify, and what you can expect regarding settlements and legal proceedings.
• If you or someone you know has experienced complications due to Suboxone, Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is ready to assist. Renowned for their expertise in representing plaintiffs, our mission is to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

How S&C Can Help With Your Claim?

S&C can help with your claim by navigating the legal intricacies of a Suboxone lawsuit, including those related to Suboxone tooth decay. Specializing in cases involving Suboxone-induced dental issues, S&C’s primary goal is to seek settlement compensation for victims suffering from tooth decay, tooth loss, and tooth erosion.

S&C assists by:

• Navigating the legal intricacies of Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits.
• Emphasizing defendants’ alleged knowledge of dental risks to strengthen your case.
• Handling all legal aspects so you can focus on recovery.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Overview

The Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits have gained significant attention as more patients file claims for severe dental problems linked to the medication. These lawsuits aim to provide compensation for individuals who have suffered dental issues and other damages due to Suboxone use.

To streamline the legal process, multiple Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits have been centralized in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, ensuring efficient handling of pretrial proceedings.

The broader context of suboxone litigation includes various legal actions, such as the rejection of a motion for bifurcation, the repealing of immunity shield laws for drug manufacturers, and the appointment of leadership in the MDL.

As of June 14, over 10,000 plaintiffs were listed in a master complaint submitted to the court, highlighting the widespread impact.

Indivior, Inc., the manufacturer, is accused of failing to warn users of potential dental hygiene issues before adding a warning label in 2022. This failure has become a focal point in the litigation, with federal Suboxone lawsuits consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) for better coordination.

What Is Suboxone?

According to EMA, Suboxone is a prescription medication combining buprenorphine and naloxone, primarily used to treat opioid addiction. This medication is designed to curb cravings and prevent users from getting high on other opioids, making it a critical tool in the fight against opioid dependence [1].

Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and opioid dependence, while naloxone, an opioid antagonist, blocks the effects of opioids. This combination makes Suboxone effective in managing and treating opioid addiction more safely compared to other treatments.

Administered sublingually, typically as a strip of film placed under the tongue, prescription Suboxone film ensures that the medication is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, providing quick relief from withdrawal symptoms. These dental issues have led to a current wave of litigation.

Suboxone sublingual films have been linked to severe tooth decay, tooth loss, oral infections, and other dental injuries, prompting the FDA to update warning labels and leading to eligibility criteria for Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits.

Suboxone Side Effects and Symptoms

There have been numerous suboxone tooth decay claims, consolidating lawsuits related to these severe dental side effects. Individuals suffering from significant tooth decay after taking Suboxone are urged to contact lawyers to determine their eligibility for these claims.

According to Addiction Center, teeth that have been weakened by Suboxone-induced decay are at a higher risk of [2]:

• fracturing
• fillings coming out sooner than expected
• the need for root canals
• oral infections, including dental abscesses

These are common consequences of Suboxone-related tooth decay, and they further complicate patients’ dental health.

FDA Warnings Regarding Suboxone

The FDA has taken significant steps to address the dental risks associated with Suboxone.

In January 2022, the FDA updated the labeling for transmucosal buprenorphine products, including Suboxone, to warn of serious dental issues such as [3]:

• tooth decay
• cavities
• oral infections
• tooth loss

In response to these warnings, suboxone tooth decay litigation has emerged, consolidating lawsuits in the Northern District of Ohio. These legal actions focus on the science linking Suboxone sublingual films to severe tooth decay and the FDA’s warning about dental injuries.

How Do You Qualify for a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?

To qualify for a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, you must have experienced dental issues such as tooth decay or injuries after taking Suboxone. These dental issues may qualify you for legal action if you have used Suboxone and seen a decline in your dental health, such as experiencing tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, or oral infections.

Individuals who have been prescribed Suboxone and suffered severe tooth decay as a result, meeting specific criteria related to the use of Suboxone sublingual strips, medical history, and dental injuries, are able to pursue legal action.

Death from respiratory depression is rare with Suboxone but may be more likely when people use Suboxone in conjunction with other substances that slow breathing, such as benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol – Stacy Mosel, L.M.S.W., Substance Abuse Specialist and Contributor at the American Addiction Centers.

The Status Of The Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit in Louisiana

The Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Louisiana is part of a broader legal effort to hold Indivior, Inc. accountable for the severe dental injuries caused by their medication.

Tooth decay Suboxone lawsuits have emerged as significant legal battles, with numerous cases being filed due to severe tooth decay, dental issues, and injuries associated with the use of Suboxone.

These lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, where judges play a crucial role in gathering evidence and the potential impact of bellwether trials on the resolution of these cases.

Indivior is accused of:

• Failing to warn users of potential dental hygiene issues before adding a warning label in 2022
• This lack of warning has become a significant point of contention in the litigation
• The federal Suboxone lawsuits have been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Ohio, overseen by Judge Phillip Calabrese.

The purpose of creating an MDL is to streamline pretrial proceedings, coordinate the discovery process, and resolve common legal and factual questions. The defendants in the Suboxone lawsuits include Indivior Solutions, Indivior Inc., and Aquestive Therapeutics.

July 2024 Updates

Judge Calabrese ordered Indivior to turn over documents related to its antitrust and patent litigation on July 20, 2024, highlighting the court’s commitment to transparency.

The judge denied Indivior’s motion for bifurcation, deciding that running both general and specific causes in tandem would be more efficient. As of July 2024, 692 Suboxone lawsuits consolidated in the Northern District of Ohio.

Suboxone lawsuits are heavily advertised on social media. In 2024, these lawsuits are expected to gain significant attention due to the dental health impacts of sublingual buprenorphine.

A settlement in 2024 is unlikely, and the lawsuit may take two to three years to resolve. As the legal landscape evolves, staying updated on court rulings is essential.

Key Court Rulings

On June 26, 2024, Judge Calabrese denied Indivior’s motion for bifurcation, opting to handle both general and specific causation together for efficiency. This highlights the court’s commitment to a streamlined discovery process.

In June 2024, the court also denied the defendants’ motion to separate general causation from other discovery, emphasizing the benefit of integrated discovery.

On May 30, 2024, plaintiffs opposed proposals to split the litigation into phases and limit early discovery. These rulings are pivotal in ensuring the efficient handling of the plaintiffs’ cases.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Settlement Amounts in Louisiana

When it comes to Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits in Louisiana, settlement amounts can vary significantly based on several factors. The extent and severity of dental injuries play a crucial role in determining compensation.

Plaintiffs can seek damages that cover their financial losses, medical treatment costs, and the emotional distress caused by severe dental issues.

Typical settlement amounts for Suboxone-related tooth decay lawsuits generally range between $50,000 and $150,000, but in some cases, they can go as high as $190,000 per individual plaintiff.

These amounts are influenced by precedents from other pharmaceutical or product liability cases, reflecting the serious impact of Suboxone-induced dental problems on plaintiffs’ lives.

Filing a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit in Louisiana

Filing a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Louisiana requires meeting specific dental injury criteria, such as being prescribed Suboxone and suffering severe tooth decay. Documenting your dental issues and treatments is essential.

Legal Strategies and Challenges

One of the key challenges in Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits is the dispute over the handling and production of electronic documents during the discovery process.

Plaintiffs argue for a streamlined process to prevent delays, while defendants seek to evaluate each document request individually, citing technical infeasibility.

A significant legal strategy involves arguing against the separation of general and case-specific discovery. Plaintiffs believe that integrating discovery is more efficient and prevents prolonged litigation.

The court has ruled in favor of integrated discovery, emphasizing that separating general causation from other evidence would complicate the litigation.

Another challenge is the defendants’ argument that the plaintiffs’ document requests are overly demanding and technically infeasible. Plaintiffs have opposed motions to focus solely on general causation, arguing that it would significantly delay the case.

Types of Evidence To Present

To support a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, plaintiffs need to provide comprehensive evidence.

This includes:

• Proof of their Suboxone prescription
• Detailed documentation of their dental issues, including teeth X-rays and dental records
• Prescription records showing Suboxone usage over time

It would help if you also documented any communication with your healthcare provider regarding Suboxone and your dental health. Proof of routine dental care before taking Suboxone can help exclude other causes of dental issues.

Additionally, keep a record of all expenses related to dental care and treatments, including missed workdays and impacts on daily life.

Gathering this evidence is crucial for building a strong case and increasing the chances of a successful lawsuit. Subsequently, we will discuss the statute of limitations for filing a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Louisiana.

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

The statute of limitations for a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit in Louisiana is generally one year from the date of injury discovery. This timeframe determines how long you have to file a lawsuit for adverse effects caused by Suboxone.

However, the discovery rule extends this period, allowing the clock to start ticking when the plaintiff discovers the injury caused by Suboxone rather than when it occurred.

Related Articles:

• Arkansas Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
• Colorado Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
• Florida Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Attorney

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

Get Your Free Consultation From Our Louisiana Suboxone Lawyers

The Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is here to support you during these challenging times. If you or a loved one has suffered complications from medications like Suboxone, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is highly experienced in handling such cases and will guide you through the legal process.

We will provide clarity on your rights and evaluate your eligibility for a lawsuit related to these complications. Get a free case evaluation, and remember, we only charge fees if we win your case.

You can trust that our commitment to your case is as strong as if you were part of our family. Contact us today for a comprehensive review of your concerns.

Reference:

1. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/suboxone
2. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone
3. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-about-dental-problems-buprenorphine-medicines-dissolved-mouth-treat-opioid-use-disorder