Injuries Lead to Prescription Pain Medication

We Know You are Hurting

One common feature among our clients is that they have been injured. Maybe it was a fall, a crash, poor nursing care, or some other mode of injury, they are dealing with pain. That is something the lawyers at Coogan Gallagher are accustomed to seeing. We read medical records every day as part of our work. And those records nearly always refer to prescription pain medications. For many clients, a serious injury leads to their first exposure to prescription pain medications.

The goal of the physician is to heal and comfort the patient. That is the basis for prescribing pain medication–both at the beginning when the pain is acute as well as later when the pain may become chronic. What happens when the patient’s pain problems lead to pain medication problems?

The Dangers of Narcotic Medications

Recently, medical experts were called on to testify in a lawsuit in West Virginia against prescription drug distributors. The distributors have been sued for failing to monitor the volume of narcotic pain pills they were distributing in West Virginia–in astounding numbers. Experts were testifying about what those drugs do to the human pain receptor system.

Dr. Corey Waller explained that when opioid drugs are ingested, dopamine levels increase 2,150%. When hydrocodone or oxycodone are taken for pain, the body activates opioid receptors in the nerves. This mimics the body’s natural opiate system. But at this level, it is “like an explosion” that damages the system permanently.

So, What to Do About Pain?

“Pain and suffering” are part of virtually every injury case. Our lawyers must assess the pain you have experienced. We look through your medical records for evidence of the pain complaints to physicians and medical treaters. We discuss the history of your injuries with you. We document the pain so that the jury will be able to understand what you have gone through (and will go through in the future). However, we are also mindful that pain medications can lead to other problems. Our lawyers have read thousands of pages of medical records, including pain control records. We never want to see our clients undergo further harm after a serious injury–just because they need pain relief.

Our job is to counsel our clients and help them through the difficulties of their claim and litigation. And we can discuss the medical treatment that you receive, including medication, to help guide you through the process. Call our office if you have questions about pain, injuries, or a case. (312) 782-7482.