Oxycontin Manufacturer Settles 8.3 Billion Dollar Settlement

The opioid epidemic has ravaged Texas and the United States with drug overdoses for years now. Much of the problems concerning this epidemic has been linked back to the drug makers of these painkillers. Through extensive investigations and multiple lawsuits, it has been determined that the makers of these prescription medications knew the addiction risks posed by their opioid medication and failed to disclose these risks to the public and to medical professionals. Recently, the makers of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, have reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice and agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges to resolve their role in the country’s opioid crisis. They have agreed to pay $8.3 billion.

How Much Money Will Go To Families?

While $8.3 billion may seem like a large sum of money, the reality is that this money is not designed to go specifically to families that have suffered due to opioid overdoses caused by this ongoing drug epidemic. The Purdue Pharma settlement will be paid out as follows:

• $225 million will go to the US Justice Department
• $1.7 billion will go towards addressing claims made in other lawsuits
• $3.54 billion will be paid as a criminal fine
• $2.8 billion will be paid as a civil penalty (this penalty will compete with other claims in bankruptcy court, as Purdue Pharma has filed for bankruptcy)

Members of the Sackler family that were also named in the lawsuit have agreed to pay an additional $225 million and have given up ownership in Purdue Pharma. Virtually none of this money will be earmarked specifically for victims and families who have been adversely affected by the side effects of synthetic narcotics and prescription opioids. Critics of this settlement say that it lets drug companies, and its owners, off too lightly for their roles in creating the opioid crisis that has claimed more than 400,000 American lives over the last few decades. The Justice Department has defended this settlement and said that it is “significant.” Officials with the DOJ have noted that the Department would forgo much of the $8 billion in fines and allow that money to be directed towards other creditors in the bankruptcy case involving Purdue Pharma. This could, in turn, be directed towards communities that have been harmed by the opioid crisis.

How Can an OxyContin Attorney Help?

If you or a loved one are suffering, or have suffered from opioid addiction complications due to OxyContin, turn to the team at Mike Love & Associates, LLC for help with your case today. We have extensive experience helping clients in cases involving overdose deaths, and we understand the toll this can take on individuals and their family members. We want to help you take on Purdue Pharma if OxyContin has caused you harm. Our opioid and NAS attorneys will investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This could include:

• Any medical expenses related to the opioid problem
• Lost wages and benefits if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of quality of life damages
• Possible punitive damages against Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin

When you need a skilled OxyContin attorney by your side, you can contact us for a free consultation or by calling us at (936) 632-2000.

Auto Recalls Hit Record High: Here’s What You Can Do if Your Vehicle Has a Recall

Recalls on defective auto parts have hit record highs for the third year in a row. In 2016, 53.2 million vehicles and 927 recall campaigns were enacted. The Takata airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, responsible for over 42 million recalls. Recalls on Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors make up the rest of the list. These auto manufacturers are liable for injuries caused by these parts and need to be diligent in repairing the issue. Toyota recently had to pay $1.2 billion to the U.S. Department of Justice for not repairing an accelerator issue. Given that there are more recalls than ever, let’s take a moment to go over some helpful tips for dealing with a recall that involves your vehicle.

Questions to Ask About Your Recall

• How serious is the recall? There may be a long delay in repairing your vehicle depending on how large it is. Many recalls will involve a component that is not fully necessary to the operation of the vehicle. In these cases, it is still safe to drive but your car may not be operating at full efficiency. In other cases, you may receive a recall notice that lets you know you need to stop driving altogether. The manufacturer should provide you a loaner vehicle until the repairs are complete. They are also legally required to notify affected vehicle owners in a timely manner.
• What can be done to fix the issue? The dealer should be replacing the part for free. In some cases, they may ask to repurchase the vehicle or replace the vehicle entirely. If your auto manufacturer is not complying with fixing your recall, you should call the dealer department and show them your recall notice. If you are still experiencing issues, contact the vehicle manufacturer. In some cases, you should file a claim with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA’s website has an online form for car safety reports. This is a great place to report a suspected recall and other vehicle defects.

Cases involving injuries that result from recalls can get complicated, and having an experienced auto accident attorney can help you get the coverage you need from the auto manufacturer. Many times, products that have not been recalled can be proven to be the cause of serious accidents with the help of product liability lawyers and accident reconstruction specialists.Contact a Lufkin product liability attorney at Mike Love & Associates, LLC for more information about defective products and obtaining compensation for your recall related injuries.

The Top Five Mortgage Fraud Scams to Avoid

Victims of mortgage fraud can have their lives upended with almost no warning. Scammers committing mortgage fraud may misrepresent the value of homes, create misleading contracts or hide fees in the fine print to rob homeowners. Fraudsters also create fake companies or contracts to scam people who are not fluent in English or familiar with real estate laws. New mortgage fraud techniques are constantly being created, and thousands of Texans are affected each year. This blog may help homeowners, people shopping for mortgages and family members identify common scams.

Have You Seen These Mortgage Fraud Scams?

1. Avoid loan modification scams: Scammers are most likely to target people who are in vulnerable financial situations. Fraudsters may promise homeowners that they can lower their monthly mortgage payments by negotiating with their lenders. These people will often charge up-front fees (which is illegal) or promise money-back guarantees for using their services. They may also claim to be affiliated with government programs like HAMP.
2. Avoid signing unfamiliar documents: Con artists may target homeowners with fake contracts. The elderly, disabled or foreign homeowners are most at risk for this type of scam. Scammers may pose as attorneys and convince homeowners behind on their mortgages to sign documents that can prevent foreclosure. In reality, homeowners are signing documents that surrender the titles to their homes.
3. Don’t rush signing the mortgage: Some homes have serious problems, such as structural damage or mold. This can not only lower the value of a home, but it can also make it uninhabitable. Take a detailed tour of the home first and ask as many questions as possible.
4. Do your homework: Scammers will sometimes attempt to sell properties they do not own. A title search will allow you to discover who owns properties. Some counties allow you to search for property title information at no cost. You should also research the person you are working with. Scammers sometimes pose as real-estate agents.
5. Avoid predatory lending: These lenders target people who have nowhere else to go by using high interest rates and hidden fees (such as penalties for paying off mortgages early). They may promise fixed rate mortgages at first, but then ask potential homeowners to sign adjustable rate mortgages. If the lender’s initial consultation or good faith estimates of fees and charges differ from what is in the final contract, you are likely dealing with a predatory lender. Predatory lenders also use deceptive ads that promise low fixed rates or low monthly payments. The purpose of these ads is to get people to sign contracts quickly while ignoring the fine print.

Mortgage Fraud Targets the Most Vulnerable

Scammers target the elderly, disabled or financially disadvantaged. People who are not fluent in English or familiar with Texas real estate laws are also frequently targeted. If you have family members who fall into one of these categories, it is important to help protect them from scams.Having an attorney review your documents is another way that homeowners can avoid scams. In Texas, homeowners can nullify refinance and equity loans within three days of signing. Attorneys are also adept at discovering hidden fees in the fine print of mortgage contracts.If you or someone you know is in the process of buying a home, one of our attorneys would be happy to make sure you are getting a fair deal.

Mikah Slatter, 2016 Hudson High School Scholarship Recipient

Very pleased to announce the recipient of the Mike Love & Associates 2016 Scholarship from Hudson High School!  Mikah Slatter has a promising future which will begin this fall at Florida College.  She plans to continue her studies at the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University.  Congratulations to Mikah for you dedication and academic performance.

Reagan Jordan Accepts Mike Love Scholarship

Did anyone happen to catch the scholarship awards ceremony last night at Lufkin High School? We witnessed an incredible amount of community support for our 2016 graduates. Here is Mike Love presenting Reagan Jordan with a $500 scholarship for academic excellence. Reagan will be attending college in the fall to study anesthesiology. GOOD LUCK TO REAGAN and to all of the 2016 Lufkin High School Graduates. What was your favorite High School memory??