Infant Victims of Opioid Withdrawal: Who Can Help? A Memphis Infant Opioid Lawyer
A mother’s opioid addiction during pregnancy can result in her child being born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). This is especially true when the mother is addicted to long-lasting narcotics such as oxycodone. As a result, the infant suffers from an immediate addiction to opioids which causes severe drug withdrawal symptoms at birth. At Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC, each Memphis TN infant opioid lawyer is very familiar with this sad situation. We may be able to help you and your family.
Treatment for Infant Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Due to the rapid rise in opioid addiction among infants, medical experts have begun looking at ways to help these children by reducing the withdrawal symptoms. There has been limited success using new drugs and infant-to-mother contact.
The Prevention of NAS
Ideally, prevention of NAS in the first place is preferable over treating the withdrawal symptoms. This requires taking steps to deal with pregnant mothers’ addictions to opioid narcotics, including OxyContin. In large part, this means taking into account the role that physicians play in prescribing opioids to women when the physician knows that she is pregnant. Memphis TN doctors and others can be held accountable through civil lawsuits when plaintiffs prove the physician knowingly did any of the following:
· Prescribed opioids to a pregnant woman without considering alternative, non-addictive medication
· Failed to properly monitor the condition of a woman and subsequently failed to take her off the opioid when she became pregnant
First Do No Harm
Legally, morally, and ethically, physicians are required to treat their patients without knowingly causing their patients harm. In addition, the doctor must act or not act in a way that most physicians in a similar situation would act. When a patient seeks medical care, they have the right to expect that the medical professional treating them has an understanding of opioids and their dangers, particularly with respect to potential addiction. When the physician fails to do this, they can be held legally and financially accountable.
Protect Your and Your Child’s Rights
Physicians can be held legally and financially accountable for an infant’s opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms by having an infant opioid lawyer file a personal injury lawsuit against the physician and/or the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the opioid. It may also be possible to join a class action lawsuit against those responsible.
Recovering Your Damages
Nothing can make up for the pain and suffering your child has undergone as a result of experiencing opioid withdrawal. However, a financial settlement can help make it possible to give you and your child the medical treatment you both need to overcome opioid addiction. If we are able to negotiate a settlement on your behalf, we may be able to recover the following damages on your behalf:
· Drug rehabilitation program costs. Costs vary, depending on the program, but they can be very high.
· Lost income. If you were out of work because of your addition, or because you were in recovery, the amount of your lost wages can be included in the settlement amount.
· Funeral costs. If you lost a loved one because of an opioid overdose, the cost of their funeral can be included.
· Medical costs. Opioid addiction, rehabilitation, overdose treatment, and related costs can be prohibitively expensive. An infant opioid lawyer from our firm can help you to calculate these costs and include them in the settlement.
· Pain and suffering. This can take the form of physical, mental, and emotional damage.
Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC: We Can Help You
If your child suffered from opioid withdrawal at birth, we would like you to contact us immediately. At Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC, we are currently involved in helping victims who have suffered in this way. Call us to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Memphis infant opioid lawyer from our firm to find out more about how we may be able to assist you.