Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits | VetLaw

Summary

• Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits offer veterans a chance to recover compensation if they suffer from dental injuries from taking the medication.
• Veterans with service-connected disabilities may become addicted to prescription opioids, leading them to use Suboxone to fight their drug addiction.
• Dental injuries caused by Suboxone can limit veterans’ job prospects, bury them in medical bills, and prevent them from socializing, eating, and speaking as they normally would.
• The manufacturers of Suboxone are facing a multidistrict litigation alleging the design of the sublingual strips rendered the medication dangerous, yet the company failed to alert the public.

Millions of veterans have returned home from serving their country with disabilities that impact their well-being. Some vets began taking opioids to be able to function independently, hold a job, and enjoy their lives.

Medications like Suboxone offer veterans battling drug addiction a better chance of successfully diminishing their chemical dependence. However, using Suboxone comes with a steep price.

Over time, Suboxone can cause a user’s teeth to deteriorate, grow infected, and potentially fall out. The manufacturer did not warn Suboxone users about this side effect. Our team of veterans disability appeals attorneys at VetLaw is helping veterans pursue VA benefits for their losses. 

VetLaw has a reputation as veterans disability lawyers for being principled, persistent advocates. We understand how important it is for veterans to receive the compensation they deserve, and we will leverage our skills to get the job done. Schedule a free consultation with a VetLaw Suboxone tooth decay lawyer by calling (855) 738-6732 or submitting an online contact form.  

Why VetLaw is the Clear Choice

At VetLaw, we value transparency and integrity. That is the exact opposite of what Suboxone’s manufacturer has displayed by keeping the true risks of their product from veterans and their healthcare providers.

As your Suboxone tooth decay lawyers, we will communicate with you consistently about your case, diligently document your damages, and stand up for your rights.

Our team has an extensive background in appealing denied VA disability claims, so we are quite familiar with uphill battles. We will put this experience to work for you to maximize your VA disability benefits for your Suboxone-related dental injuries connected to a service-related disability.

Check Out Client Reviews and Our Case Results to Learn More About VetLaw

Before choosing a legal team, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at their track record. At VetLaw, we believe that our results are a testament to our abilities and tenacity. Our seasoned team is invested in securing the best possible results for our clients.

This perspective has earned us the trust and respect of veterans across the U.S., as evidenced by our client testimonials. 

“I contacted VetLaw and was treated just awesome. They answered all my questions and kept me up to date on everything. If I didn’t understand something, they explained it to me. I can’t thank them enough…”

“I finally felt like my case mattered and felt in good hands right from the beginning. They were super nice, knowledgeable, and very professional. [VetLaw] took the time to check in frequently to update me on the status of my claim. They also were very prompt in addressing any questions or concerns I had with regards to my case.”

Stay Updated on the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits

VetLaw is tracking the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits’ progression through the court system. We will keep providing the latest news for our clients.

February 9th, 2024 – Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits to Move Forward as Multidistrict Litigation 

U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio will be the new venue for the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits. A group of federal judges, known as the the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, created a multidistrict litigation to process the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits under the authority of Judge J. Philip Calabrese. 

Understanding the Connection Between Disabled Veterans and the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits

Sadly, too many veterans have become familiar with the harsh realities of drug addiction after using opioids to cope with chronic pain. It often starts innocently enough, with a veteran seeking effective pain relief for a legitimate service-connected injury. From there, a licensed provider wrote them a prescription for an opioid to manage the pain.

In other cases, injured veterans have turned to illicit drugs because they were unable to obtain a prescription, refill an order, or secure a higher dose to control their pain. Regardless of how the opioid was acquired, a veteran can become susceptible to its addictive properties. 

The element of Suboxone that provides pain relief also causes tooth enamel to deteriorate, exposing the user to the risk of tooth loss, oral infections, and cavities. Vets who are interested in taking Suboxone to treat their opioid addiction should consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best way to approach recovery while protecting their teeth.

Suboxone Can Help Veterans Fight Opioid Addiction

Veterans who manage their pain with opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and morphine are at risk of becoming chemically dependent upon the drug. Over time, they may seek increasingly higher doses just to receive the same effect and potentially overdose.

Given the obvious dangers of abusing painkillers, medications like Suboxone have been a valuable tool in helping ease users into recovery. Suboxone functions as an effective deterrent to opioid dependence by providing both an opioid partial agonist and an opioid partial antagonist.

The former, known as buprenorphine, latches on to opioid receptors and offers a milder version of the pain relief opioids supply. The latter, which is referred to as naloxone, also seeks out opioid receptors, but it counteracts the effects of painkillers.

Essentially, the buprenorphine element offers users just enough pain relief to make them feel normal. The risk of addiction to Suboxone is lower because there is a limit on its effects after a certain dosage. Veterans using Suboxone are usually better able to handle the physical symptoms of withdrawal, eliminating another obstacle to recovery. 

How Suboxone’s Flawed Design Can Lead to Tooth Decay

Suboxone is manufactured by Indivior in sublingual strips. Each day, a user takes a piece of the film. They tuck it underneath their tongue and then wait for it to completely dissolve.

Indivior used to make Suboxone in tablets that patients took orally. However, the company had to modify its product to keep profiting from its Orphan Drug designation with the FDA.

In the sublingual form, the buprenorphine in Suboxone can reduce saliva production. Teeth are more susceptible to damage without adequate saliva. Saliva defends against acidic and sugary substances that can strip away enamel. With each dose of Suboxone, a user loses a little more of the protective coating over their teeth. 

After that, bacteria, sugar, acids, and other corrosive substances have unfettered access to the underlying tooth. Once they penetrate the tooth, the Suboxone user will likely develop cavities and other forms of dental decay.

Common Suboxone Injuries Can Negatively Impact a Veteran’s Life

We rely on our teeth to help us eat, communicate words clearly, and smile. Dental injuries can quickly become overwhelming because they interfere with so many aspects of our lives. Suboxone users have developed several types of dental injuries because the drug disintegrated their tooth enamel. Plaintiffs have reported:

• Tooth decay
• Cavities and cracks
• Irritated gums
• Oral infections
• Tooth loss

Don’t put off seeking treatment for dental injuries related to Suboxone. They will only get worse the longer they are unaddressed. Once tooth enamel is gone, it can’t be fully restored.

Additionally, you don’t want to give the defendant’s legal team any excuse to blame your tooth decay on inadequate dental hygiene instead of their defective product if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

Damages in a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Can Offer Vets Alternative or Additional Compensation

If you are a vet who experienced dental decay after using Suboxone, you may have a case for VA disability benefits if your opioid addiction stems from a service-related condition.

However, if your Suboxone use was unrelated to a service-connected disability or your VA disability benefits aren’t covering your costs, you should read this page on Suboxone. It explains your other legal options, like filing a product liability lawsuit to recover compensation for damages.

When discussing the concept of damages in regard to Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits, we are referring to the financial, physical, and mental price you are paying due to your dental injuries.

Examples of Compensatory Damages Suboxone Plaintiffs May Suffer

Medical expenses: Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely request X-rays of your teeth to determine the extent of the corrosion or infection. From there, you may incur charges for their services and materials so they can install a crown, perform a root canal, surgically extract a tooth, or repair damage.

Other medical bills can include antibiotics and the cost of follow-up appointments. 

Job-related consequences: Having poor teeth may cause you to lose employment opportunities or get passed over for promotions, especially if you are working in a field or position that requires face-to-face contact with customers.

Not only does that undermine your career, but that can cost you a considerable amount of money over time. As you try to repair your dental injuries, you may also lose wages by taking time off from work to see doctors.

Pain and emotional setbacks: Veterans who are taking Suboxone are already struggling, and having to deal with tooth decay compounds the situation. Infections, sensitivity, and tooth loss can be painful injuries that limit your quality of life.

Many people with dental issues become embarrassed or feel anxious about how others perceive them, causing further emotional harm. 

Why Should I Hire VetLaw to Handle My VA Disability Appeal Involving a Defective Product Liability

We specialize in providing veterans with legal support, so we have a clear understanding of how vets are uniquely impacted in cases like the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits. Our team of VA-accredited veterans disability appeals attorneys has the expertise and diligence required. 

Veterans seeking help with drug addiction deserve better, and we won’t hesitate to say so. At VetLaw, we also have experience with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals that may become incredibly beneficial.

If your Suboxone tooth decay claim reaches this level in the appeals process, we are ready. You can depend on us to provide the comprehensive support you need to take on a the VA. We’ll doggedly pursue disability benefits that cover your losses.

The Suboxone Tooth Decay Attorneys of VetLaw Are Here to Help

Individuals who join the military are aware that they are accepting a certain level of risk of service-related injuries for both physical and mental conditions. However, veterans who used Suboxone to tackle their drug addiction weren’t warned about severe dental injuries.

Our team of veterans disability claims denial attorneys at VetLaw is dedicated to righting this wrong. VetLaw will carefully examine your case and build a solid foundation of evidence to support your Suboxone tooth decay claim. Our attorneys will advocate relentlessly for the maximum VA benefits we can get, as we have done for countless vets.

If you are a veteran who used Suboxone prior to April 2022 and you believe that your tooth decay is related to taking this medication, our team at VetLaw wants to speak with you as soon as possible. We offer free case evaluations, which can be scheduled by calling (855) 738-6732 or submitting an online contact form.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How many veterans are addicted to opioids?

Substance abuse impacts more than 10% of veterans, but it is difficult to determine the exact number of veterans struggling with opioid dependence, given the nature of the issue.

Certain groups of veterans may be at a greater risk of developing an addiction to opioids, such as those with catastrophic injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and family histories of addiction.

Is there a warning label on Suboxone that lists the risk of tooth decay?

For two decades, Suboxone’s warning label did not mention that users could develop dental injuries due to one of its active ingredients. This was not fixed until April 2022. The FDA changed the label and issued a statement alerting consumers to the possibility of dental decay caused by Suboxone.

Are Suboxone tablets or pills safer for my teeth than Suboxone strips?

Suboxone was originally sold as a tablet. Now, Indivior makes sublingual strips and pills, both of which are designed to dissolve under your tongue. Compared to Suboxone’s sublingual strips and pills that remain in your mouth for several minutes, a tablet that you swallow has less opportunity to cause damage to your teeth.

However, that does not mean that the original Suboxone tablets were entirely without risk. It does show that in a sublingual form, the buprenorphine has the chance to dry out your mouth. 

Does everyone get the same settlement if the Suboxone tooth decay multidistrict litigation is successful?

One benefit of multidistrict litigations is that plaintiffs are awarded compensation for damages based on individual losses. Other forms of collective action, like class action lawsuits, use one plaintiff to represent the whole group. From there, the settlement is usually divided more evenly amongst plaintiffs. 

Suboxone plaintiffs can work jointly to present evidence of Indivior’s negligence, depose experts, and build a case for compensation under the MDL. Then, they can negotiate a settlement that reflects their damages.