overdose News

Iowa: Husband Eligible for Work Comp Death Benefits Despite Separation

The husband of a deceased worker is not ineligible for workers’ compensation death benefits merely because he no longer lived with his wife when she died, a divided Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday. In a 4-2 decision, the high court …

Cities Wracked by Opioids Close to Getting $26B Settlement

McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP)–The opioid epidemic blew into this picturesque Oregon town like a toxic wind, leaving overdoses, addiction, homelessness and wrecked families in its wake. In a humble, single-story brick building, three blocks from downtown McMinnville’s wine-tasting rooms and cafes, …

Insurer Must Defend Against Lawsuit Over Drug Overdose, Despite Exclusion

An insurer must defend its policyholders against a lawsuit that alleges their drug-dealer son caused the overdose death of a house guest while they were away, a Pennsylvania appellate court ruled. A three-judge panel with the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled …

Billionaire Sacklers Don’t Deserve Bankruptcy Shield, States Say

Two dozen U.S. states urged a bankruptcy judge to let them revive their stalled lawsuits against the billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma LP, saying keeping the opioid litigation on ice sends a message that wealthy people can escape justice. The …

Sackler Family Accused in New Claim of Causing Opioid Crisis

The billionaire family that owns opioid-maker Purdue Pharma LP has been accused in a new lawsuit of causing the nationwide public-health crisis involving pain-killing medicines that has left thousands of Americans dead from overdoses. More than 500 U.S. cities and …

Overdoses, Falls Top Causes of Accidental Deaths Each Year

Accidents are killing more Americans each year, increasingly from overdoses and falls. A new report from the National Safety Council said that in 2014, more than 136,000 Americans died accidentally. That’s up 4.2 percent from the year before and a …

Texas Couple Sue Nebraska Hospital Over Child’s Death

The parents of a child who died last year at Nebraska Medical Center after an overdose of blood thinner have sued the Omaha hospital, alleging that the mistake caused excruciating pain and the girl’s death. Greg and Kenya Duque of …