Opioid Death Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
At the Gogel Law Firm, our opioid death lawyers in St. Louis are closely following the overdose rates caused by prescription pain medication use that is increasing throughout the country, including in the state of Missouri.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 32% of all opioid deaths in the United States involved a prescription opioid.
Opioids were involved in almost 50,000 deaths last year, accounting for nearly 71% of all drug overdose deaths. Since 1991, more than 232,000 people have lost their lives in the U.S. from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
Our dedicated St. Louis personal injury attorney and law firm founder, Jeremy A. Gogel, knows how much our residents trust medical professionals to use their education, skills, and training to treat injuries, conditions, and diseases.
When a physician irresponsibly or negligently prescribes opioids in a manner that results in an addiction that leads to an opioid death, we may be able to take legal action in the form of a medical malpractice lawsuit.
What are the Most Commonly Prescribed Opioids in the U.S.?
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis medical malpractice attorneys understand the need for prescription medication when treating certain injuries, diseases, or conditions.
Opioids are commonly prescribed to injury victims, post-surgery patients, and cancer patients to reduce the intensity of pain by working in the nervous system and specific receptors in the brain.
Some of the most prescribed opioids include:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- Hydromorphone
- Methadone
- Morphine (Kadian®, Avinza®)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®)
- Oxymorphone (Opana®)
- Tapentadol
If your loved one was prescribed opioids and lost their life to an overdose, contact our skilled opioid death attorneys in St. Louis today to discuss your rights and options to pursue legal action against the negligent physician who overprescribed the medication.
At The Gogel Law Firm, Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in St. Louis, MO Focuses On The Following Practice Areas:
- Anesthesia Error
- Birth Injury
- Delayed Diagnosis
- Emergency Room Case
- Failure To Diagnose Cancer
- Failure To Diagnose Stroke
- Hospital Negligence
- Surgical Errors
Who Can Be Held Liable for Opioid Deaths in St. Louis, Missouri?
One of the major causes of opioid dependence and overdoses is physician negligence when prescribing opioids, which could make them responsible for an opioid overdose death.
Our opioid death lawyer may pursue a legitimate claim if:
- The surgery that led to the prescription was unnecessary
- The patient was discharged prematurely
- The doctor prescribed improper medication or dosage
- The aftercare and follow-up from the physician was poor or non-existent
As these cases sadly continue to grow, large claims are being filed against the pharmaceutical companies for their roles in deceiving both patients and doctors about the risks of opioids.
Contact Our Skilled Opioid Death Attorneys in St. Louis at the Gogel Law Firm Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you have lost a loved one to an opioid death, contact our experienced opioid death attorney in St. Louis today to discuss your tragic loss and learn how we can help you pursue justice today to schedule a free consultation by calling (314) 370-8173 or contact us online to have one of our skilled lawyers call you.
Frequently Asked Questions for Our Opioid Death Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
How Did Opioid Use Become a Crisis in the U.S.?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community in the 1990s that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers. In return, the healthcare providers began to prescribe the opioids at greater rates. Subsequently, a widespread diversion and misuse of these medications continued until it was proven that they are, in fact, highly addictive. By that time, literally hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives to opioid overdoses.
Is it Safe to Take Opioids at All After an Injury Occurs?
Prescription opioids can help with pain when used under a doctor’s order. The likelihood of developing an opioid use disorder involves many factors, including the length of time the person is prescribed the medication and how long they take it. When misuse of the drug begins, it is typically a sign of dependency and can lead to a much larger addiction.
What are the Opioid Abuse Warning Signs?
Opioid abuse can be hidden by the person who is misusing medications long before they are discovered by friends or family members, so it is important to understand some of the most common physical warning signs, which may include weight loss, changes in sleep habits, flu-like symptoms, and decreased libido. Other common signs may include lack of financial stability or theft to keep up with their habit, cutting off relationships with family or friends, and changes in exercise, eating, or self-care habits.
