The West Virginia Supreme Court says people who were negligently prescribed pain medication can sue pharmacies and doctors for enabling their addiction.
Media reports say the ruling issued this week involves 29 people who were patients of Mingo County’s Mountain Medical Center. Most sought treatment for job-related injuries or injuries stemming from car accidents.
They alleged they were prescribed controlled substances and became addicted because of criminal abuse of prescriptions.
The 29 filed eight separate lawsuits against pharmacies and doctors.
According to court documents, the FBI raided Mountain Medical Center and found evidence of improperly prescribed controlled substances.
Some of the physicians’ medical licenses were revoked and some pleaded guilty to federal charges.
The Supreme Court ruled 3-2 in the decision.