Fentanyl pain patches have become a popular – and potentially dangerous pain medication, far too often causing accidental overdoses and deaths. Fentanyl is a very powerful pain medication. Drop for drop, fentanyl is more than 80 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl has been used for many years in the anesthesiology process in our nation’s hospitals. However, drug manufacturers and distributors found a way to apply this pain medication in a patch form to be applied transdermally on someone’s arm or another part of the body.

However, fentanyl is not a good medication for controlling pain because it is incredibly powerful, and it can easily kill people when they don’t realize what the danger is. Once a patch is on a person’s body for many hours, the fentanyl seeps through the skin. The drug also makes people disoriented and confused, increasing the risk of a patient applying another patch too early or forgetting that there’s a patch already on their body.

The other thing with these pain patches is a simple heating pad applied on top of a pain patch can also lead to accidental overdose. That has been proven, and it’s been talked about by the FDA in warnings.

Patients have also died because the medication can accidentally leak more than it should have out of the patch because of a little crack in the patch or other defects.

Our legal team is motivated to help families because we believe the fentanyl pain patch is an inherently dangerous product that should no longer be prescribed except in cases of terminal illnesses or when under the supervision of nursing care. It’s just too dangerous for a patient who’s not being supervised.

If you have lost a loved one due to a fentanyl pain patch overdose, call Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp at 833-997-1774 for a free and confidential consultation. We will examine all circumstances to determine whether it was an appropriate medication for your loved one and if there was any negligence involved in their death.

What Is a Dangerous Product Lawsuit, and How Does It Relate to Fentanyl Overdose Deaths?

A dangerous product lawsuit is a legal claim filed by individuals or families who have suffered harm due to a product that is defectively designed, manufactured, or inadequately labeled. In the case of fentanyl, such a lawsuit could arise if the product was distributed without proper warnings, was misrepresented, or was unsafe for its intended use. For example, a family may file a lawsuit if fentanyl was prescribed or dispensed negligently, resulting in an overdose death.

In the case of fentanyl overdoses, a dangerous product lawsuit could be directed at various parties, including:

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

If a fentanyl product was inadequately tested, improperly labeled, or marketed in a way that downplays its risks, it could be considered a dangerous product. Manufacturers may be held accountable for producing a product that led to accidental overdose deaths.

Distributors or Wholesalers

If fentanyl was improperly distributed to the wrong markets or prescribed to patients who were not properly evaluated for its use, distributors or wholesalers might be held responsible for putting a dangerous product into circulation.

Healthcare Providers

If a doctor or healthcare provider prescribes fentanyl without following standard care procedures, such as properly evaluating the patient’s opioid tolerance or monitoring them during treatment, they may be liable in a dangerous product lawsuit.

Can Fentanyl Be Considered a Dangerous Product in a Lawsuit?

Yes, fentanyl can be considered a dangerous product in a lawsuit if it was improperly manufactured, distributed, or prescribed. Several factors could contribute to this classification, such as:

Lack of Adequate Warnings

If fentanyl was prescribed without proper warnings about its overdose potential, or if patients were not adequately informed about its risks, a dangerous product lawsuit could be filed.

Improper Distribution

If fentanyl was sold or distributed to individuals who did not meet the medical criteria for its use, or if illegal fentanyl was trafficked without sufficient safeguards, it could be deemed a dangerous product.

Defective Manufacturing

If a fentanyl product was incorrectly formulated, such as having inconsistent potency levels or faulty dosage control mechanisms, it could pose a danger to users, making it subject to legal claims.

A lawsuit against fentanyl-related deaths typically requires demonstrating that the product was defectively manufactured, improperly handled, or negligently distributed, resulting in harm to the victim.

What Legal Actions Can Be Taken in Fentanyl Overdose Death Cases?

In cases of fentanyl overdose deaths, the surviving family members may pursue a legal claim for wrongful death or a dangerous product lawsuit. The legal process typically begins by filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties, which could include pharmaceutical companies, doctors, pharmacists, or distributors. The goal is to hold the responsible parties accountable for their role in the overdose.

How Can Your Personal Injury Law Firm Help?

At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we understand that no amount of money will ever make up for the loss of your family member, but we also know that a wrongful death claim is often the only way a family will ever receive any justice for their loved one’s death.

Call 833-997-1774 today to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation with one of our dedicated wrongful death lawyers and find out what legal recourse you may have.