For many people in Oklahoma, Suboxone was a crucial step toward recovery from opioid use disorder. It was prescribed by doctors as a way to manage cravings and withdrawal, offering a path toward a healthier life.
However, many individuals who used the dissolvable film version of this medication have since experienced devastating and unexpected dental problems, including severe tooth decay, tooth loss, and chronic oral infections. If you or a loved one used Suboxone film and later suffered significant dental damage, you may be able to seek justice through a Tulsa Suboxone lawsuit.
These lawsuits allege that the manufacturer, Indivior, was aware of the risk that the acidic nature of the Suboxone sublingual film posed to dental health but failed to provide adequate warnings to patients and doctors.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we believe that pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable when their failure to warn causes serious harm. Our dedicated team is here to help Oklahomans understand their rights and explore their legal options for securing fair compensation for their injuries.
When you are dealing with complex health challenges and facing a large pharmaceutical company, you need a legal team with the resources, dedication, and compassion to stand by your side. At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we are committed to providing exceptional representation to those harmed by the negligence of others. We understand the physical pain and financial strain that unexpected dental injuries can cause, and we are prepared to fight for the justice you deserve.
Our approach is built on putting your needs first. We offer:
We level the playing field, giving you access to the same high-caliber legal support that corporations have. Our goal is to handle the legal burdens so you can focus on your health and well-being.
Thousands of people have reported severe dental deterioration after using Suboxone films. This has led to widespread legal action and an official safety communication from federal regulators. Understanding the connection between the medication and these dental problems is the first step in learning about your legal rights.
Suboxone is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine helps reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone is included to discourage misuse of the medication.
For years, Suboxone was available as a tablet that was swallowed. Later, the manufacturer introduced a sublingual film—a small strip that dissolves under the tongue or inside the cheek. This film version became incredibly popular, but it is this specific delivery method that is at the center of the ongoing Tulsa Suboxone lawsuits.
The core issue with the Suboxone sublingual film is its acidic formulation. When the film dissolves in the mouth, it creates a highly acidic environment that, over time, can erode tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. Once it is weakened or destroyed, teeth become extremely vulnerable to decay, cavities, and infections.
In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a drug safety communication after receiving numerous reports of serious dental problems associated with buprenorphine medicines dissolved in the mouth. The FDA required an updated warning to be added to the medication’s prescribing information.
Individuals filing lawsuits have reported a range of severe dental injuries, including:
These problems often require extensive, painful, and costly dental work, such as root canals, crowns, bridges, dental implants, or even full-mouth reconstruction.
The legal claims against Indivior are not about whether Suboxone is an effective treatment for OUD. Instead, they are a type of product liability case. Product liability is an area of law that holds manufacturers and sellers responsible for injuries caused by defective or dangerous products.
The primary allegation in the Suboxone lawsuits is “failure to warn.” This legal principle means that a manufacturer has a duty to inform consumers and medical professionals about known or foreseeable risks associated with its product. The lawsuits claim that Indivior knew, or should have known, that the acidic nature of the sublingual film could cause severe dental damage but did not include an adequate warning on its packaging or in its prescribing information for many years.
This lack of warning meant that neither patients nor their doctors could make a fully informed decision about the medication.
Patients were not advised to take protective measures, such as rinsing their mouths with water after the film dissolved, which could have potentially reduced the harm.
Indivior has faced legal scrutiny before. In 2020, its former parent company agreed to pay $600 million to resolve allegations of an illegal marketing scheme to boost Suboxone Film sales. This history forms a backdrop for the current litigation regarding the medication’s dental side effects.
While every case is unique, you may be eligible to file a Suboxone dental decay lawsuit if you meet certain criteria. An attorney can help you determine if your situation qualifies, but general eligibility often includes the following:
If you believe you meet these criteria, it is important to speak with a lawyer who has experience handling these types of claims.
Filing a lawsuit can help you recover financial compensation for the harm you have suffered. This compensation, legally known as “damages,” is intended to cover both the financial costs of your injuries and the personal, non-financial losses you have endured. A successful Suboxone lawsuit can provide the resources you need to address your dental health and move forward.
In a product liability case like this, you may be able to seek compensation for a variety of damages. These are often separated into two main categories:
Our legal team will work tirelessly to understand the full weight of your injuries and how they have affected your life to build a comprehensive claim for all the damages you are owed.
Every state has a law called a “statute of limitations,” which sets a strict time limit for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for most product liability claims is generally two years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered.
Determining the exact start date for this two-year clock can be complicated in Suboxone cases. Does it start when your tooth first hurt? When your dentist linked the problem to Suboxone? Because of this complexity, it is vital to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Taking on a pharmaceutical company can feel like a monumental task. But the legal team at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can guide you through every step of the process, from the initial consultation to the final resolution of your case.
The process begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. This is a confidential conversation where you can share your story, and we can learn more about your situation. We will ask about your Suboxone prescription history and the dental problems you have experienced. It is a chance for you to ask questions and for us to evaluate the strength of your potential Tulsa Suboxone lawsuit.
If you decide to move forward, our team will immediately begin a thorough investigation. We handle all the details of building your case, which includes:
Our superior upfront work is designed to put your case in the best possible position for a successful outcome.
Because so many people across the country have been harmed in a similar way, the Suboxone lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation, or MDL. An MDL is a legal procedure that groups similar civil cases from different federal districts together in front of one judge. This makes the process more efficient by streamlining discovery and pretrial proceedings.
The Suboxone MDL is located in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Even if your case were part of this federal MDL, you should still hire a local Tulsa law firm like Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We can file your case and represent your interests within the larger MDL structure, ensuring your voice is heard no matter where you live in the Tulsa area, from Jenks to Owasso.
Here are some answers to common questions our clients have about filing a Suboxone lawsuit.
You may still be able to file a lawsuit even if you are currently using Suboxone. Your doctor may be able to switch you to the tablet version or another medication for OUD that does not carry the same risk of dental decay. Your health and recovery are the top priority, and you should discuss any changes to your medication with your healthcare provider.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front. We advance all costs related to your case, and we only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.
Many dentists may not have been aware of the link between Suboxone film and tooth decay until the FDA warning was issued. A lack of an initial diagnosis connecting the two does not prevent you from filing a claim. Our legal team can work with dental professionals to help establish the connection as part of your case.
Currently, the lawsuits are primarily focused on the brand-name Suboxone films manufactured by Indivior. The law regarding generic drug manufacturers is different and more complex. However, you should still speak with an attorney to have your specific situation evaluated.
If you or a family member suffered serious dental damage after using Suboxone film, you have the right to seek answers and accountability. The financial cost of repairing the harm can be substantial, and the physical and emotional toll is even greater. You should not have to bear this burden alone.
The attorneys at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers are ready to help you explore your legal options. We have the experience, resources, and dedication to stand up to large corporations and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your Tulsa Suboxone lawsuit. Let us put our commitment to work for you.
