Opioid Crisis Reaches New Highs (and Lows)

The tentacles of the opioid crisis are far-reaching and utterly destructive. This weekend, we learned that beloved rocker Tom Petty died as a result of an overdose of opioids prescribed initially to ease the pain of a fractured hip. His heartbroken family wrote,On the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full-on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his over use of medication.We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident.As a family, we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives. Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medicationsDana and Adria PettyWe do hope that the conversation begins in earnest about how we as a country can help the millions afflicted by this scourge. And, in the interim, we have to figure out an immediate solution for the innocent children of addicts – many of whom have lifelong disabilities and medical issues because of the mistakes of their parents.We believe that the children of opioid-addicted parents may have legitimate causes of action against drug manufacturers. If you would like to discuss this matter with an attorney at our firm, please contact us at (212)-869-3500.