Can lawsuits curb the opioid crisis?

The United States is in the grip of an opioid epidemic, affecting millions of Americans and claiming thousands of lives. Is suing drug companies, retailers, and doctors part of the answer?

Many people trace their opioid dependence back to their doctor’s office, the drugs prescribed for pain after an injury, surgery, or dental procedure. Were these painkillers over prescribed? Did drug manufacturers exaggerate opioids’ effectiveness while deliberately underplaying their danger? Did drug distributors and retailers take necessary steps to ensure that pills weren’t falling in to the wrong hands?

Here, Michelle Mello, an expert in health law, and Nora Freeman Engstrom, an expert in tort law and complex litigation, both professors at Stanford University, explain the scope of the opioid problem and discuss the latest cases and legal challenges.

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