Are all fentanyl pain patches dangerous?
Everyone can agree that the fentanyl pain patches that were recalled are dangerous. The FDA believes they are so dangerous that people are instructed not to touch them with their bare hands. The recalled patches are an example of a manufacturing defect.
Some people (like me) believe that even when made properly, some fentanyl pain patches are so dangerous that no one should use them.
Who makes fentanyl pain patches?
Johnson & Johnson (and some of its subsidiaries) make the Duragesic fentanyl pain patch. That's the original, "name brand" fentanyl patch. Johnson & Johnson also makes patches for Sandoz. The Sandoz patches are generic versions of Duragesic, but are made in the same factory on the same machines as Duragesic. Sandoz and Johnson & Johnson patches are manufactured in Vacaville, California.
Mylan Pharmaceuticals manufacturers a line of generic fentanyl patches. These are designed differently than the Duragesic patches. The Mylan patches use what's called a "matrix design" in which the fentanyl is in the adhesive that holds the patch on you. Duragesic patches use the "reservoir design" in which the patch holds a reservoir of fentanyl gel.
Watson Pharmaceuticals manufactures a "reservoir design" fentanyl patch that is similar to Duragesic.
Actavis sellls a generic fentanyl patch that uses the "reservoir design." The patch is actually manufactured in Grand Rapids, Michigan by a company named Corium.
Novartis owns Sandoz, and the Sandoz generic duragesic patches are sometimes called Novartis patches.
How do I know if I have a fentanyl lawsuit?
The fentanyl lawyers I know tell me that a good fentanyl case is one in which:
- A person had their own prescription for fentanyl.
- That person was either hospitalized or died.
- A death certificate, autopsy, or other medical record blames the death or injury on "acute fentanyl intoxication" or something similar.
- The person was not using illegal drugs at or near the time of death or injury.
Additionally, the person must not have misused the patch. Some people cut open fentanyl patches and eat the gel, or attempt to inject it. If that's what happened, I don't know anyone who can help you.
If I do have a fentanyl case, how much money is it worth?
That's a question you should ask one of my attorney friends. I can tell you that the range of jury verdicts for fentanyl cases has been about $700,000 to about $16,000,000. Of course, my lawyer friends will tell you that just because a prior jury awarded $16 million dollars doesn't mean yours will.
How much will it cost me to file a fentanyl lawsuit?
Absolutely nothing. My attorney friends will only get paid a percentage of the money that they recover for you. You will never be asked to pay any costs of your case, or asked to pay any fee if they do not recover money for you. And since they only get paid out of any money they recover for you, you know they'll work very hard to maximize the amount of money recovered.
How long do I have to decide what to do?
That's another question a lawyer will have to answer. Every state has what's called a statute of limitations. If you don't file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, you'll never be able to file it. Why not use the form below to let me put you in touch with a fentanyl patch lawyer who can answer any questions you have?
