NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Three law firms, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, Bernstein Liebhard LLP, and Weitz & Luxenberg P.C., representing over 100,000 New Yorkers, today filed a billion-dollar lawsuit against Purdue Pharma L.P. and its owners, the Sackler family, for fueling the opioid epidemic in New York City. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Purdue engaged in a decades-long scheme to deceive doctors and the public about the dangers of its opioid painkillers, OxyContin and other opioids, leading to widespread addiction and death in New York City..
The lawsuit alleges that Purdue’s deceptive marketing practices, including the promotion of opioids for minor pain, the downplaying of the risks of addiction, and the misleading of doctors about the efficacy of opioids, led to a surge in opioid prescriptions and addiction in New York City. The complaint also alleges that Purdue failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the risks of addiction, overdose, and death associated with its opioids..
As a result of Purdue’s deceptive practices, New York City has been devastated by the opioid epidemic. According to the complaint, opioid-related overdose deaths in New York City increased by over 500% between 2001 and 2017. The opioid epidemic has also taken a devastating toll on New York City’s families, communities, and economy..
The lawsuit seeks to hold Purdue and the Sackler family accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic in New York City. The plaintiffs are seeking billions of dollars in damages to compensate New York City for the costs associated with the opioid epidemic, including healthcare costs, law enforcement costs, and social services costs. The plaintiffs are also seeking punitive damages to deter Purdue and other drug companies from engaging in similar deceptive marketing practices in the future..
“Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family fueled the opioid epidemic in New York City through their deceptive marketing practices,” said Paul Napoli, a partner at Napoli Shkolnik PLLC. “This lawsuit seeks to hold them accountable for the devastation they have caused and to compensate New York City for the billions of dollars it has spent fighting the opioid epidemic.”.
“Purdue Pharma’s deceptive marketing practices led to widespread addiction and death in New York City,” said Peter Mougey, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Purdue accountable for its role in this public health crisis and to recover the billions of dollars that New York City has spent fighting the opioid epidemic.”.
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on New York City,” said Robin Weitz, a partner at Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in this crisis and to recover the billions of dollars that New York City has spent fighting the opioid epidemic.”.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions taken against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. In 2019, Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy after facing thousands of lawsuits from states, municipalities, and individuals. The Sackler family has also been sued by several states and municipalities, including New York City..
The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that has devastated communities across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 700,000 people in the United States have died from drug overdoses since 1999. The opioid epidemic has also taken a devastating toll on families, communities, and the economy..
The lawsuit filed by Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, Bernstein Liebhard LLP, and Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is an important step towards holding Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic in New York City..
