If a health professional has prescribed opioids that were unnecessary, leading you to develop a dependency or addiction, you may be a victim of medical malpractice. In such cases, your attending doctor might have failed to assess the risks appropriately, putting your health and well-being at serious risk.
If this happens, you might need to take legal action. Fortunately, a New Jersey opioid lawyer can help you explore your options for holding the responsible parties accountable. At Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., we have a solid track record of advocating for individuals harmed by prescription opioid errors.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation to understand how we can help you go about the legal process and seek justice for your suffering.
Opioids are a class of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant or synthetically produced to mimic the effects of naturally occurring opiates. They are commonly prescribed for their potent pain-relieving properties, especially in the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
According to NIH, opioid drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals, and producing a sense of euphoria. However, opioids also carry a high risk of addiction and dependence, making them a controlled substance.
There are several forms of opioids, including prescription painkillers and illicit drugs. Their effects can be highly addictive and life-threatening in cases of misuse or improper prescription.
Opioids are classified into three main categories: natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and fully synthetic opioids. Each type varies in its origin, strength, and potential for abuse. Mismanagement or improper prescription of these drugs can lead to significant legal consequences for healthcare providers.
Natural opiates are derived directly from the opium poppy plant. Some of them include:
Semi-synthetic opioids are human-made drugs synthesized from natural opiates. Common examples of semi-synthetic opioids include:
Fully synthetic opioids are entirely manufactured in a lab. Some of them include:
The prescription of opioids requires careful consideration and adherence to medical guidelines. Instances of medical malpractice related to opioids often involve prescribing too large a dose or unnecessary amounts, which can lead to dependency.
Also, lack of monitoring is common when prescribing opioids. Failure to adequately monitor a patient’s use of opioids can result in addiction or adverse effects. Not informing patients about the risks of opioids has also been linked with misuse and subsequent legal issues for healthcare providers.
Healthcare providers are legally obligated to ensure the safe prescription and management of opioid medications. Failure to do so can have severe effects on the patients. A New Jersey opioid lawyer is key in such scenarios to help prove the negligence and pursue opioid-related malpractice claims for legal recovery.
Opioid abuse and over-prescription can lead to severe and life-altering medical conditions. The most common health consequences include:
Patients who are unnecessarily prescribed opioids or those who take higher than recommended doses are particularly at risk for these complications. If you discover a health professional caused you to abuse opioids, you might have grounds to seek compensation for your injuries.
In New Jersey, patients who are victims of medical malpractice can take legal action against the negligent practitioners and their institutions. Opioid prescription malpractice cases often arise when healthcare providers fail in their duty of care. If a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist negligently prescribes, dispenses, or monitors the use of opioids, leading to harm, they could be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Some common scenarios that may warrant legal action include:
If you believe your doctor has acted negligently in prescribing opioids, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call your opioid lawyer immediately to assess your case and determine its validity.
If your lawyer has determined that you have a case, the next step is to officially launch your claim. Usually, you have two years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit (N.J. Stat. § 2A-14-2).
This period may begin from the time you first became aware of the injury or harm caused by the opioid prescription. This timeframe is critical – a delay in initiating your claim within the statute of limitations could result in the dismissal of your case.
However, medical malpractice cases involving opioid prescriptions can be complex, and there may be exceptions to this two-year rule, depending on the circumstances. Therefore, you need to consult with a New Jersey opioid lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet all key deadlines and build a winning case.
Liability for opioid prescription errors could fall on numerous parties within the healthcare facility. Here are the possible parties that could be held accountable:
Determining liability for opioid prescription errors often requires a thorough investigation of your medical records and treatment history. The best way to approach liability is to engage a New Jersey opioid injury attorney to help uncover the parties responsible for your injuries and pursue justice on your behalf.
Have you or a loved one been harmed by an opioid prescription lately? The opioid crisis has the capacity to devastate someone’s life, and those responsible for careless prescriptions need to be held accountable. At Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., our attorneys have helped countless victims of medical malpractice seek justice. A New Jersey Opioid injury lawyer will investigate the facts of your case to determine liability, which is a key step in securing compensation for the resulting injuries.
Call us at (201) 588-1500 to request a free consultation.
Need Help? Contact us 24/7
Free Consultation (800) 616-2916New York & New Jersey Personal Injury & Litigation Lawyers
Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers by filling out the form below, or call us at (800) 616-2916
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partners, Jeffrey W. Varcadipane & Dawn M. Pinnisi, with more than 40 years of combined legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
November 26, 2024
Roofing projects are a big responsibility; accidents can happen when workers are at significant heights. If a roofer falls through your roof while working, your immediate concern may be their safety,...
November 26, 2024
Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, including right in front of your home. Many homeowners in Paramus, NJ, wonder: If someone falls on the sidewalk in front of your house, are you liable? Th...
November 14, 2024
Property owners often worry about the legal consequences if someone is injured on their property. The answer typically depends on factors like the visitor's legal status and the property's condition ...
November 14, 2024
Finding your parked car damaged and realizing the responsible driver has vanished can be incredibly frustrating. It’s a situation that leaves many feeling anxious and unsure about what to do next. ...