An opioid overdose lawyer can help if you or a loved one qualify for potential compensation.
Sometimes medical negligence is a contributing factor to an opioid overdose. If you or a family member have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm from an overdose, you might be entitled to seek compensation.
An opioid overdose lawyer is familiar with medical malpractice statutes and can help determine if you qualify to recover damages. To learn more, call Newsome | Melton at (855) 633-2757 for a free consultation.
An Opioid Overdose Lawyer Can Determine Liability
You have the right to pursue compensation if a doctor or facility is responsible for an opioid overdose. Certain conditions must be met to prove medical malpractice. That is why you should not hesitate to contact an opioid overdose lawyer.
In a criminal case, a plaintiff’s lawyer must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt.” A medical malpractice claimor lawsuit is different. An opioid overdose lawyer from Newsome | Melton will show that it is “more likely than not” that medical negligence led to the overdose. To learn more, please call (855) 633-2757 for a free consultation.
Requirements to Show Medical Malpractice
Each opioid overdose case is different, but certain factors are typical in medical malpractice cases. These include:
- Proof of a doctor-patient relationship (in other words, you or your loved one hired the physician for his or her services).
- Breach of the standard of care refers to a patient’s right to acceptable and reasonable care from a healthcare professional.
- The overdose or other injuries were caused by negligenceor a breach of the standard of care.
- You or your loved one’s injuries resulted in significant damages such as medical bills, disability, mental anguish, or loss of life.
Common Types of Medical Negligence in Opioid Overdoses
There are several ways that a healthcare professional’s negligence resulted in an opioid overdose. This is not an exhaustive list but the most common types of medical negligence in these cases:
- Improper use of opioids given a patient’s health and risk for addiction.
- Misdiagnosis of underlying medical condition that needed pain relief.
- Inadequate follow-up care for signs of abuse or potential for overdose.
- Error in filling the prescription by a pharmacy, hospital, or another source.
- Insufficient or nonexistent warnings to the patient of the potential risk of opioids.
In addition, there are circumstances that a medical facility can be held responsible:
- Human error
- Insufficient training
- Improper dosage or administration
An Opioid Overdose Lawyer Will Protect Your Rights and Pursue Compensation
Opioid overdoses have overwhelming consequences for the patient and their loved ones. The most tragic result is loss of life. If a patient survives an opioid overdose, some of the complications might include:
- Mild to severe brain damage
- Locked-in syndrome
- Respiratory complications
- Disability
You could qualify for compensation for damages related to these conditions. These include:
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Lifecare services
- Hospitalization or skilled nursing facility
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Mental anguish
Let Us Advocate for You and Your Loved Ones
An opioid overdose lawyer from Newsome | Melton can help determine if you are entitled to recover these and other damages. He or she will take care of all the details in seeking compensation from the negligent party or parties. However, many states limit the time you can seek compensation. The statute of limitation varies in each state. To make sure you do not run out of time, please call our firm at (855) 633-2757.
We Have a Process in Seeking Compensation
Medical malpractice laws are complex. Most people do not have the legal knowledge or experience to pursue compensation that they might be entitled to receive. Not all law firms include opioid overdose and other medical malpractice cases in their practice areas.
Newsome | Melton helps people nationwide who have suffered physical, emotional, and financial damages because of medical negligence. Our team has recovered more than $580 million in compensation through insurance settlements and verdicts. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, we will vigorously pursue compensation from those responsible.
Our process in pursuing compensation for our clients includes:
- Free case evaluation – please call (855) 633-2757.
- Demonstrating negligence according to legal guidelines.
- Understanding the medical malpractice rules in your state.
- Reviewing all medical records and obtaining experts to testify on your behalf.
- Filing a claim against the provider or facility’s malpractice insurance.
- Taking your case to trial if we cannot negotiate an acceptable insurance settlement.
- Providing expert, confidential legal representation at every stage.
A National Health Crisis: Opioid Overdoses
Opioids include prescription drugs such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine, and others. They are prescribed for pain relief after major surgery or other serious medical conditions. While they provide relief from chronic or acute pain, opioids are highly addictive. Tragically, there are more opioid overdose fatalities each year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported over 47,000 deaths in 2017.
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 40 percent of opioid overdoses were from prescription drugs. An opioid overdose lawyer from Newsome | Melton can help victims, and their families seek compensation from negligent healthcare providers or facilities. To schedule a free consultation, please click here or call (855) 633-2757.
Our Caring, Compassionate Medical Malpractice Lawyers Are Here for You
For over 20 years, the law firm of Newsome | Melton has pursued compensation for injured and disabled clients and their families. We understand the enormous stress that an opioid overdose or other catastrophic medical condition puts on a family. Newsome | Melton works on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay attorney fees unless we are successful in recovering compensation.