The opioid crisis in the U.S. has accelerated dramatically in the last two decades, creating an intense demand for medical intervention. Companies like Indivior have seized the opportunity to develop drug treatments for opioid dependence. For years, Indivior’s Suboxone has dominated the market, but at the expense of users’ dental health.
Suboxone users have reported alarming incidents of tooth decay after taking the sublingual film version of the drug, which is administered by placing the film under the patient's tongue. Although they used this drug as directed, many people are now facing staggering medical bills and other financial woes, as well as emotional distress. If you fall into this category, it's crucial to understand if you qualify for a Suboxone lawsuit.
Our dangerous drug team at Dolman Law Group has been closely monitoring the Suboxone cases, and we are prepared to offer exceptional legal support to clients seeking compensation for their damages in a product liability lawsuit against the negligent drug manufacturer. If you were prescribed Suboxone and suffered severe dental issues as a result, contact us at (727) 451-6900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our Suboxone tooth decay lawyers.
Our Suboxone lawyers can clarify whether your Suboxone case meets the compensation criteria, explain your rights, and offer an estimate of what your Suboxone dental decay lawsuit could be worth.
Who is Eligible to File a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?
Indivior had a legal obligation to inform Suboxone users of the risks associated with using the sublingual film version of this drug. By failing to warn users about the risk of dental decay, Indivior breached its duty of care, and injured people are bringing lawsuits claiming the drug manufacturer may be liable for the damages that they incurred as a result of using Suboxone.
In January 2022, the FDA finally required Indivior to include a warning of potential tooth decay caused by Suboxone, but by then, almost 20 years had passed since their product was approved in 2002.
Suboxone Users Who May Qualify to Bring a Suboxone Lawsuit
To know if you qualify for compensation in a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, the following must be true:
- You used Suboxone sublingual films as prescribed to treat your opioid dependence before 2022
- You experienced severe dental issues beyond a normal rate of decay
- You sustained monetary damages as a result of your Suboxone dental injuries
As the plaintiff, you are responsible for meeting the burden of proof, so you must create a clear connection between Indivior’s negligence, your injuries, and your resulting financial losses. In the case of a Suboxone lawsuit, establishing your eligibility for compensation will be heavily dependent on extensive medical evidence from your provider and personal statements regarding your experience with your dental issues.
You should also be aware that the statute of limitations may restrict you from filing a product liability claim, depending on your state. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine if your Suboxone claim is still valid and potentially argue for an extension of time if certain extenuating circumstances exist. Since each case is different, a deadline extension will depend on your unique situation and is not guaranteed to succeed.
Why Suboxone Sublingual Film Users May Be Entitled to Compensation Through a Product Liability Lawsuit
The current Suboxone dental decay lawsuits specifically involve the sublingual film version of the drug because this design amplifies the risk of injury to the teeth. There is also a pill form, and both forms of Suboxone contain the partial opioid agonist Buprenorphine, which is known to be acidic. The original form of Suboxone was the oral tablet, so the medication’s corrosive potential was limited because it did not have prolonged contact with the user’s teeth.
However, when Indivior recognized that its monopoly on oral opioid antagonist medication was going to expire at the end of its Orphan Drug policy agreement with the FDA, the drug manufacturer created a sublingual form of Suboxone in order to maintain control of the market. Unfortunately, this version has an unintended consequence because the sublingual film form of Suboxone, which is held under the tongue until it dissolves, reduces salivary flow and directly exposes the teeth to an unhealthy acidic level of Buprenorphine.
This exposure can lead to the erosion of enamel and generally weaken teeth, especially if the user is taking Suboxone for an extended period of time. So far, studies have linked the sublingual film version of Suboxone to:
- Severe tooth decay and loss
- Cavities
- Tooth extractions
- Broken teeth
- Jaw bone injuries
- Other serious dental injuries
Establishing Negligence in Product Liability Lawsuits Against Suboxone’s Manufacturer
Product liability claims are a subset of personal injury claims and have their own unique requirements. For a defendant manufacturer or distributor to be considered negligent in a product liability claim, their breach of duty must take the form of a design flaw, manufacturing error, distribution issue, or labeling issue that causes an injury to a plaintiff who used the product as intended. Companies like Indivior can be held liable if plaintiffs provide sufficient evidence that demonstrates the drug manufacturer knew or should have known about the risks of their medication but did not provide ample warning to consumers of the risks.
In the case of the Suboxone dental decay claims, it seems fairly obvious that Indivior should have been aware that an acidic substance like Buprenorphine would cause more harm the longer it was in contact with a user’s teeth, especially given the fact that it had sold the tablet form of Suboxone containing this ingredient for nearly a decade prior to releasing the sublingual film version of the drug.
The many Suboxone lawsuits highlight Indivior’s failure to warn the public about the possible side effects of using the sublingual film version of Suboxone. Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to thoroughly test their products and notify regulatory agencies as well as the public about their medication's known side effects. Instead of warning users, Indivior profited from Suboxone for two decades before the FDA took the initiative and updated Suboxone’s warning label in January 2022.
Why You Should Trust Dolman Law Group to Handle Your Suboxone Lawsuit
Product liability claims involving defective drugs can be challenging due to the number of potential complicating factors involved, especially with chronic conditions like opioid use disorder. At Dolman Law Group, we have successfully represented many clients who were injured by defective medications, such as Tepezza users with hearing loss and children with autism linked to prenatal exposure to Tylenol.
This valuable experience makes our team imminently qualified to handle your product liability lawsuit and pursue maximum compensation for your damages. Our clients are our priority, and we emphasize frequent communication, attention to detail, and diligent service for each injured individual. Our Suboxone tooth decay attorneys at Dolman Law Group offer the exceptional experience and unrivaled level of commitment you deserve.
Contact Dolman Law Group For Help With Your Suboxone Lawsuit
Grappling with opioid dependence is difficult enough on a physical, financial, and emotional level without the added burden of deteriorating dental health. Suboxone was designed to help people suffering from opioid use disorder endure withdrawal from opioids and reduce future dependence. However, it is costing many users their ability to eat comfortably, feel confident in their smile, and afford their bills. These damages can be requested in a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit.
At Dolman Law Group, we are disturbed by the negligence displayed by Suboxone’s manufacturer, and we believe that Suboxone users deserve better. Our team of product liability attorneys is invested in ensuring that individuals recovering from opioid use disorder are fairly compensated for the damages they sustained as a result of using Suboxone sublingual film.
You can rest assured that your Suboxone dental decay lawsuit will receive the level of attention it deserves from our compassionate and skilled personal injury lawyers. For a free consultation, contact our capable team of Suboxone lawyers at (727) 451-6900 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to learning more about your situation, explaining the services we offer, and providing insight into how to move forward with your Suboxone dental decay lawsuit.