Posted in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on June 17, 2020
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a growing problem in the United States and especially in West Virginia. While these numbers are rapidly increasing, pharmaceutical companies play a huge role in this. This is due to opioid manufacturers knowingly downplaying the dangers of dependency on opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol, among others.
Opioids are drugs prescribed for pain. They are also called narcotics. They include:
If a woman has taken any of these drugs during pregnancy, it can lead to significant problems for the baby. This is true even when the drugs have been prescribed by a health care professional.
When a mother uses opioids during her pregnancy, the baby can become dependent on the drug. NAS happens when a baby is no longer getting the drug(s) from the mother’s bloodstream. These drugs can take a few weeks to leave a baby’s body. After birth, they experience withdrawal, just like adults.
Signs of NAS can differ for every baby, but most indications are visible within 72 hours of birth. However, some may not happen until a few weeks after birth. Many of these babies have long term hearing and vision problems. Babies are also likely to have motor skills delays and many experience long term behavioral and cognitive problems. These problems can impair their judgment and learning ability. Signs and Complications may include:
More than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed across the nation by people claiming the manufacturers of prescription opioids grossly misrepresented the risks involved in long-term use. The lawsuit also claimed that distributors of these drugs did not monitor the drugs’ suspiciously large orders, which contributed to the country’s opioid epidemic. These lawsuits were filed in various states, including California, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, and West Virginia. In January 2020, a United States Bankruptcy Judge has allowed individuals to file personal injury claims against Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of Oxycontin, OxyIR, and related opioid products.
Purdue Pharma, one of the major manufacturers of Opioids has established a fund in bankruptcy court to pay damages to these victims without having to file a lawsuit.
If you or someone you know were taking opioids during pregnancy and your baby was born addicted, you may have legal options. Contact us for a free legal consultation to discuss potentially filing a NAS bankruptcy claim or lawsuit. A licensed lawyer at our firm can discuss your options during a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to obtain compensation from the drug manufacturer for negligently prescribing these painkillers by filing a Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome bankruptcy claim or lawsuit. This could help cover medical expenses and other damages, as well as damages you and your baby suffer in the future, which could quickly get into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Call us today! 800-557-4LAW
