Chicago Law Firm Investigating the Deadly Effects of Fentanyl

CHICAGO, IL, November 05, 2012

The attorneys at the Chicago law firm of Goldberg Weisman Cairo have consulted with a prominent board-certified forensic toxicologist to identify factors suggesting that potential defects in the packaging and delivery of the drug fentanyl may be to blame for patient injuries and deaths.

Fentanyl is a potent narcotic opioid used as a surgical anesthetic and for outpatient pain management. When compared based on weight, fentanyl is 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. For outpatients suffering chronic pain, fentanyl is administered through a patch placed directly on the skin. Unfortunately, while fentanyl is a powerful and effective pain reliever, a number of fentanyl-linked patient deaths were reported, leading to a review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the issuance of several advisories regarding its safe use.

Several postmortem examinations indicate that the design of a fentanyl patch could have been a factor in delivering an excessive amount of the drug, leading to respiratory distress, then death. Moreover, management of this drug needs to be closely regulated by physicians, which sadly is not always the case.

If you know of anyone who suffered injury or death and fentanyl was suspected to be a contributing factor, the attorneys at Goldberg Weisman Cairo are prepared to review the medical record with our physician expert, at no cost to you, and determine whether there is a case.

If you have any questions or require more information, call GWC attorney Joe Sorce at 312-464-1200 or email him at jsorce@gwclaw.com.

As Illinois' largest personal injury and workers' compensation firm, we have the resources to handle the most complex personal injury matters for our clients.

Goldberg Weisman Cairo
One East Wacker Drive
38th & 39th Floors
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-273-9441
Toll Free: 800-785-8702
Chicago Law Office Map
www.gwclaw.com