Fentanyl Claim Center

Fentanyl Patch Lawsuit Information

In recent months, several lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal court in response to the comas and deaths suffered by patients prescribed Fentanyl. We are currently at the forefront of these investigations and are pursuing claims for clients in many states across the U.S.

Fentanyl is one of the most potent drugs used to treat severe and chronic pain on the market today. However, fentanyl has been linked to overdose to an alarming degree in people who are prescribed the patch. In addition, the lolipop form of fentanyl has been under scrutiny because of the highly addictive nature of Actiq and the fact that it has been prescribed for several things other than cancer pain management.

Over the past few years, information has become public that appears to link Fentanyl in all of its forms to overdose. In fact, although Fentanyl has been approved for use in patients with severe pain, it is being prescribed for things as simple as minor back pain and for headaches. As more knowledge becomes available about Duragesic and Actiq use, it is clear how little consideration doctors and the makers of fentanyl drugs have taken regarding the safety of their patients. It seems that in the minds of these professionals, the popularity of the drugs outweigh the obvious safety risks associated with an opiate that is 80 times as strong as morphine.

We are currently aware of over 250 people who have died after taking fentanyl. In our minds, this is a blatant example of professional misconduct and must be stopped. There is no reason why these drugs should be prescribed at the rate they are. Right now lawsuits are being filed by victims in increasing numbers all over the country. The attorneys we have working on this case are representing clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States and are in the process of working on a global resolution to this problem.

How do I file a Fentanyl Claim?

If you or a loved one have been killed or sent into a coma because of a fentanyl overdose, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer.

The Johnson and Johnson pain patch is at the center of the controversy. We have developed extensive evidence regarding the defect involved in the Duragesic pain patch. When finally brought to light at trial, we have consistently achieved large jury verdicts affirming the existence of the defect. In addition, the evidence clearly proves a knowledge of the defect on the part of the manufacturer that did not stop them from continuing sales of the product. We will fight for every individual who has lost a loved one due to use of the Duragesic pain patch until the last family due compensation for their loss is made whole. Please send us an e-mail if you believe you have an overdose claim and we will provide a complimentary evaluation of your case.

The mother of a man who authorities say died of a painkiller overdose is suing his father for allegedly supplying a potent patch.

Court records say 34-year-old CLinton Bitz of Sioux Falls, S.D., died in April 2007 from what authorities called an acute Fentanyl overdose. The painkiller patches allegedly were prescribed to his father, Francis Bitz, of Edgeley.

Clinton Bitz’s mother, Wanda Cyr, of Monticello, Minn., has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Francis Bitz. Cyr is seeking more than $80,000.

Francis Bitz says in court documents that he should not be held responsible for damages.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein has set a trial date of Oct.

12, 2010, but scheduled a conference in January to discuss a possible settlement.

Original Article (APNewsNow.)

Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) — Johnson & Johnson and Novartis AG’s Sandoz unit recalled some patches containing the painkiller fentanyl, saying manufacturing defects may cause leaks that can lead to fatal overdoses.

The Duragesic patches, made by Johnson & Johnson’s Alza Corp., may have a cut along the drug reservoir, exposing users directly to the fentanyl gel inside, the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said in a statement. It’s the fifth recall of some version of the patches since 1994.

“Perhaps the time has come for the FDA to order Johnson & Johnson to pull all versions of this product off the shelves,” said Alex MacDonald, a lawyer who represents the families of former patch users. Juries have found defective patches caused the deaths of two users since lawsuits over the products began going to trial in 2006.”

Read Full Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Morristown, NJ — February 17, 2008 — Actavis Inc., the United States manufacturing and marketing division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group hf, today announced that 14 lots of Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States by Actavis’ subsidiary Actavis South Atlantic LLC are being voluntarily recalled from wholesalers and pharmacies as a precaution.

The recalled patches were manufactured by Corium International Inc., a contract manufacturer for Actavis, and sold nationwide in the United States by Actavis South Atlantic LLC.

Read Full Release At FDA Website