Summary
- Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in Ohio federal court, where a judge will hear plaintiffs’ allegations that the drug is responsible for severe tooth decay.
- For more than a decade, Suboxone was the only buprenorphine-naloxone medication available to treat opioid addiction.
- Suboxone users were not warned about the potential for catastrophic dental injuries, prompting product liability lawsuits against manufacturer Indivior.
- Users affected by Suboxone-related tooth decay may recover economic and non-economic damages with legal representation.
To recover from opioid addiction, many former drug users turn to medications like Suboxone to help them break their chemical dependence on painkillers like oxycodone, heroin, morphine, and fentanyl. We now know that a severe side effect of Suboxone is tooth decay. Users are arguing that the manufacturer should be held liable in Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits.
Indivior did not tell the public that their medication could cause users to develop cavities, leading teeth to break, fall out, or become infected. Suboxone users have the opportunity to seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional toll of their injuries in product liability lawsuits.
If you were prescribed Suboxone sublingual film and developed issues with your teeth, our team can help determine if you have a case for compensation. Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia
is a highly respected personal injury law firm dedicated to getting justice for our clients. Reach out at (800) 320-4357 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Why Choose WHG to Negotiate Your Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
If you are in recovery from drug addiction, you may have experienced that people can be quick to blame your dental health issues on your previous opioid dependence instead of a defective medication. At WHG, our product liability lawyers aren’t fooled by Suboxone manufacturer’s attempts to evade taking responsibility for a drug that destroys tooth enamel.
We will work tirelessly to ensure that Indivior doesn’t get away with keeping you and your doctor in the dark about the true risks of using Suboxone. You can rely on our personal injury attorneys to compile strong evidence of liability so we can make a compelling argument for maximum compensation. Meanwhile, you can keep your focus where it should be- on your health.
As your Suboxone tooth decay attorneys, we will keep you informed at every stage of the process, acknowledge any concerns you have, and fiercely protect your right to pursue a fair settlement. Our award-winning team prides itself on helping clients reclaim their lives after they were harmed by another’s negligence, and we welcome the opportunity to do the same for you.
Our Reviews and Case Results Showcase Our Advocacy Skills
To us, our successful record of settlements is much more than an accomplishment to brag about or a way to measure our success. It is evidence of our unrivaled work ethic, considerable expertise, and unshakeable resolve to maximize compensation for our injured clients.
At WHG, we make it a point to recognize the needs of each client who walks through our doors, but you don’t have to simply take our word for it. In our opinion, our clients say it best.
“I sought out the help of Werner, Hoffman, & Greig and I must say I haven’t looked back since. The amount of stress that they have taken off my plate is ineffable. Hoffman and his team have been extremely successful in helping my case move forward. They are diligent and, best of all, persistent.”
“Exceptional care. Really good at what they do!”
Latest Updates on the Suboxone Tooth Decay Multidistrict Litigation
Stay current with the most recent developments in the Suboxone tooth decay claims from WHG.
February 8th, 2024 – Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits Will Be Heard in Ohio Federal Court
Until now, the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits were independent claims filed by plaintiffs in multiple jurisdictions. Based on their common questions of fact and allegations against Suboxone manufacturers, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has combined the cases. Then, they transferred them to the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio. Judge J. Philip Calabrese will preside over the discovery phase and other pre-trial steps.
Understanding What Suboxone is & How It Helps People Recover From Drug Addiction
Detoxing from opioids and staying clean is an ongoing effort for the majority of individuals struggling with addiction rather than a single achievement. Most people who are trying to get into recovery need a reliable support system, mental health counseling, and medical assistance, to reduce their body’s chemical dependency on drugs.
Suboxone tablets entered the scene in 2002. The drug became a popular way to address the physical component of a user’s addiction. The manufacturer switched to a sublingual film in 2010. The medication uses buprenorphine to provide the pain relief a user would get from opioids but to a lesser degree. At a certain point, its effects top out, and additional doses do not provide a greater high.
Buprenorphine is considered an opioid partial agonist. When it binds with the opioid receptors, it is fulfilling two purposes. First, it blocks other more dangerous opioids, such as heroin. Second, it keeps the user from experiencing a complete withdrawal from pain relief. Overall, the user is less motivated to return to opioids that are more likely to lead to an overdose.
However, buprenorphine can still be addictive on its own because it is technically a synthetic opioid. That’s where Naloxone, the other main component of Suboxone, is critical in reducing this risk. It also binds to opioid receptors. However, because it is a partial opioid antagonist, Naloxone counters the effects of synthetic opioids like buprenorphine and natural opioids like codeine.
How the Chemicals in Suboxone Can Ruin Your Teeth
In its current iteration, Suboxone is a sublingual film that is placed beneath the tongue to dissolve. This releases the buprenorphine-naloxone cocktail. From there, the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. The catch is that in the ten minutes it takes for the film to break down, the buprenorphine is drying out your mouth.
This is more than just an uncomfortable side effect. If you don’t maintain enough saliva, bacteria that would normally be eliminated or relocated begin to settle and chip away at the enamel of your teeth. Then, bacteria can reach the dentin and pulp that were shielded by the enamel.
The buprenorphine itself may also have a role in diminishing the enamel. This further solidifies the accusation that Suboxone is a defective drug. Once fissures and cavities develop, it is often only a matter of time before the entire tooth is compromised or infected.
Keep in mind that Suboxone users are often prescribed a daily dose many rely on the medication for years. All told, that’s potentially over 50 hours of exposure on an annual basis. This means that the rate of decay is noticeably higher than what is associated with aging or normal wear. Consequently, a Suboxone user has a smaller window of opportunity to detect and manage the damage.
Common Dental Injuries Caused by Suboxone
Plaintiffs in the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits have cited similar injuries after using the medication. As the buprenorphine drug eroded users’ enamel, cavities and crevices developed, giving bacteria the opportunity to thrive. Suboxone users’ teeth became increasingly weakened by the ravages of bacteria. In some cases, even normal chewing causes compromised teeth to shatter or fall out completely.
Suboxone users may be at a greater risk of dental injuries like:
- Infections
- Tooth decay, including broken teeth
- Cavities
- Gum inflammation
- Tooth loss
Dental injuries can also lead individuals to develop mental and emotional injuries. Missing or decaying teeth can undermine a person’s self-confidence, causing them extreme anxiety when eating, speaking, or smiling in front of others. The chronic pain that often accompanies dental injuries may contribute to an individual’s stress level and put them at a higher risk of depression.
What Kind of Damages Can I Pursue in a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit After a Dental Injury
Once representatives for the Suboxone plaintiffs have established that manufacturers are liable for their damages based on Indivior’s failure to warn consumers, the next question is what damages are eligible for compensation. Repairing teeth requires the specialized skill set of a dentist and potentially an oral surgeon.
Those services are not cheap to begin with. You also have to consider the associated costs of X-rays, antibiotics, and materials for fillings or caps. You may need to schedule an appointment during your work hours, costing you further in terms of wages. These kinds of expenses are called economic damages, as they reflect the financial losses you suffered.
Our personal injury lawyers also expect that most Suboxone users will have non-economic damages. Tooth decay can cause considerable discomfort, stress, and inconvenience. Personal injury law recognizes these as legitimate costs worthy of financial reimbursement. A common example of this type of damage is pain and suffering.
Veterans Who Used Suboxone May Qualify for VA Disability Benefits
In addition to personal injury damages, there may be other compensation options, like veterans disability benefits, for eligible individuals. Certain demographics, like veterans, may be susceptible to dental injuries from using Suboxone.
Veterans are more likely to sustain severe injuries that require pain management, which can result in addiction. Vets who have taken Suboxone after a military injury led to their drug addiction should review our veterans Suboxone tooth decay page.
Why Should I Hire WHG to Handle My Product Liability Claim
Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, has made buprenorphine medications marketed toward people who struggle with opioid addiction for many years. The company has done so both independently and as a part of a major pharmaceutical manufacturer.
It’s difficult to imagine that they were unaware of the issue. Even if Indivior was in the dark, they certainly possessed the expertise to know better. Our team at WHG sees the situation for what it is. We have the requisite skills to help you hold the manufacturer accountable.
At their core, the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits are product liability claims. Our team has offered our considerable expertise to clients in some of the most significant cases out there, including the Bard PowerPort lawsuits and the CPAP claims.
We know that a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit is about more than recovering financial compensation for a dental procedure or missing a day of work. If you want a defective drug lawyer with the resources to manage a mass tort claim and the determination to pursue maximum compensation, look no further than WHG.
Reach Out to WHG About Your Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
Without being privy to the full range of potential side effects of taking Suboxone, individuals who were already in a vulnerable medical state were deprived of the opportunity to protect their teeth from catastrophic damage. The defective drug attorneys of WHG are ready to take on manufacturers to help Suboxone users recover fair compensation.
Our team won’t take your trust for granted. Instead, our Suboxone tooth decay lawyers will unapologetically demand appropriate compensation for your claim in accordance with the damages you suffered. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 320-4357 or complete an online contact form. Our team will help you schedule a free consultation with a WHG personal injury lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Indivior change Suboxone from a tablet to a sublingual film?
Indivior was about to face competition from other manufacturers who wanted to make a generic version of Suboxone. So, they changed the drug from an orally administered tablet to a sublingually administered film to keep control of the market. This allowed Indivior to continue profiting from their drug. However, it also increased the potency of the active ingredient that can cause tooth decay.
What is a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit worth?
The multidistrict litigation was only established in February 2024. We are still early on in the process to be making firm predictions about potential Suboxone settlements. Manufacturers will likely want to see how strong the plaintiffs’ case is before they consider making an offer.
With the information we currently have, we think that Suboxone tooth decay settlements could be $50,000 to $150,000. If the parties don’t reach a settlement agreement and the personal injury lawsuits go to trial, the plaintiffs could recover a lot more, but they have to successfully demonstrate the manufacturer’s liability first.
Did the FDA approve Suboxone?
Suboxone was approved by the FDA in 2002. The agency offered Indivior Orphan Drug status for Suboxone, which meant it was the only pharmaceutical company that could sell the buprenorphine-naloxone drug for seven years. The FDA added the risk of tooth decay to Suboxone’s warning label in April 2022.
