A Very Profitable Lie: The Opioid Crisis and the Companies Behind It
The opioid epidemic didn’t begin on the streets—it began in boardrooms.
For decades, pharmaceutical giants told doctors and patients alike that prescription opioids were safe, non-addictive, and effective for long-term pain management. These claims were not only misleading—they were deadly. What followed was one of the most devastating public health crises in American history, affecting millions of lives and costing billions in treatment, lost productivity, and loss of life.
At Nelson, Bryan, and Cross, we believe the companies that fueled the opioid crisis must be held accountable—not only in courtrooms but in the eyes of the public. Alabama was hit especially hard, and we stand with the families, first responders, and communities who are still paying the price for a very profitable lie.
The Opioid Crisis in Alabama: A Snapshot
Alabama has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for opioid prescriptions per capita. In rural areas especially, prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and fentanyl became dangerously common—often prescribed for conditions that didn’t require such powerful drugs.
As addiction rates climbed, so did overdoses. In recent years:
Opioid overdoses in Alabama have surged, especially among young adults
Fentanyl-related deaths have nearly doubled
Families have been torn apart, and hospitals overwhelmed
And yet, the crisis was entirely preventable.
How Did This Happen?
Pharmaceutical companies—most notably Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin—engaged in a campaign of deceptive marketing. They:
Downplayed the addictive nature of opioids
Promoted the idea of “pain as the fifth vital sign”
Paid incentives to doctors for high-volume prescribing
Targeted vulnerable communities with aggressive sales tactics
Internal documents later revealed that executives knew the risks, but chose profits over people.
The Legal Fallout: A Wave of Lawsuits
In 2020, Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy after facing thousands of lawsuits. Settlements reached into the billions of dollars, intended to fund treatment and prevention.
Other drug manufacturers and distributors—like Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen—have also faced massive legal judgments for their role in the epidemic.
These lawsuits uncovered a pattern of:
Failing to monitor suspicious orders
Flooding small towns with millions of pills
Ignoring red flags from medical professionals and law enforcement
Do You Have a Claim?
If you or a loved one:
Were prescribed opioids and became addicted
Suffered an overdose or death linked to prescription painkillers
Are facing long-term damage or recovery costs due to opioids
—you may have the right to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the companies that helped create the crisis.
Your story matters. Your loss is not just personal—it’s part of a broader epidemic that demands accountability.
Let Nelson, Bryan, and Cross Help You Seek Justice
We know the damage opioids have done in Alabama. We’ve seen it in our communities, our courtrooms, and our clients’ lives.
At Nelson, Bryan, and Cross, we are committed to:
Investigating your case thoroughly
Connecting you with medical and recovery resources
Pursuing full compensation for your losses
Standing up to Big Pharma on your behalf
You don’t have to face this alone. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. If you or someone you love has suffered due to opioids, we’re ready to fight for you.
