Suboxone Lawsuit Payout per Person

Receive Expert Legal Advice for Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits

The Suboxone lawsuit payout per person will vary significantly based on your specific symptoms. By working with experienced personal injury attorneys, you can maximize your Suboxone settlement and ensure you have the funds you need to recover. Contact our Suboxone lawsuit attorneys today for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. 

What Is Suboxone, and Why Is It Prescribed?

Suboxone, also known as buprenorphine or naloxone, is a medication that is used in opioid addiction treatment. It is a partial opioid agonist, meaning that it binds to the same receptors as drugs like morphine or methadone. By doing so, Suboxone prevents these drugs from attaching to the receptors. Taking Suboxone also prevents withdrawal symptoms, which can be very severe. 

In many cases, Suboxone will be prescribed in addition to other treatments, such as Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) counseling. The drug is usually given as a sublingual film, which dissolves in the mouth. Suboxone is usually well-tolerated, but it can have significant side effects, such as severe dental injuries. 

The Link Between Suboxone Film and Dental Problems

In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning about Suboxone film after multiple patients suffered severe tooth decay. Dental complications included tooth erosion, tooth loss, oral infections, cavities, and other dental injuries. These issues also occurred in individuals without a prior history of oral health problems. 

To prevent dental damage, the FDA recommends taking a drink of water and swishing it around your mouth, then swallowing shortly after inserting the film. You should also regularly visit a dentist, who can monitor your dental health and quickly address any tooth decay. 

Allegations Against the Manufacturer: Failure to Warn

Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits center around failure to warn about the potential for severe dental problems when using the sublingual film to treat opioid addiction. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in cases like Hansen v. Baxter Healthcare Corp that drug or medical device manufacturers must provide adequate warnings for known side effects. 

Current Status of the Suboxone Litigation

A Suboxone class action lawsuit is currently in progress. In 2024, federal Suboxone lawsuits were transferred to the United States District Court in Northern Ohio. Also known as multidistrict litigation (MDL), this centralizes all Suboxone tooth decay cases in one court, allowing evidence from all plaintiffs to be shared. As of May 2025, there were almost 900 cases incorporated into the Suboxone MDL.

At this time in the process, the MDL judge has ordered a records collection pool to initiate bellwether trials. The outcome of a bellwether trial will determine the viability of the Suboxone tooth decay MDL. This process involves evaluating a sample of cases and selecting the strongest examples, such as those who suffered serious dental problems. 

Factors Affecting Suboxone Lawsuit Payout Per Person

As of now, there have been no Suboxone settlement payouts in the MDL as litigation is still ongoing. This makes it challenging to determine potential lawsuit settlement amounts, especially as all Suboxone users tolerate the drug differently based on their personal history.

Certain factors will determine your potential settlement in Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits and can be used to estimate potential payouts. Some of these include factors such as your age, profession, and the impact on your everyday life, as well as the following. 

Severity of Dental Injuries

If you required extensive dental treatment due to suboxone-related dental injuries, you are likely to receive more in a settlement. For example, those who need multiple root canals or have long-lasting damage, such as gum disease, may be entitled to higher compensation. 

With your informed consent, we will review your medical records and consult with dentists to better understand the injury severity. 

Economic Damages: Calculating Financial Losses

In a tooth decay lawsuit settlement, your Suboxone lawyers will use your medical records and bills to identify your economic damages. This can include things like:

• Medical expenses
• Dental procedures
• Oral surgery, if necessary
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescription toothpaste or mouthwash
• Lost wages 
• Loss of earning potential

Because we use your medical records and insurance bills to determine economic damages, you must document all expenses related to your treatment. We can assist you in organizing and calculating these when you contact us for legal support. 

Non-Economic Damages: Pain and Suffering

Severe dental complications significantly reduce a person’s quality of life, leading to long-lasting pain and even mental health issues. Tooth pain can be debilitating, while gum disease and oral infections can also cause other health issues, like increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. 

Many people experience self-consciousness, low self-esteem, and anxiety when dealing with severe tooth decay. These should be considered in Suboxone lawsuit settlements. Our lawyers will conduct interviews with you and your loved ones to gain a deeper understanding of how these dental problems have affected your life. 

Non-economic damages can include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and inconvenience. These are usually calculated using an injury multiplier, which multiplies your economic damages by a number, typically between 1.5 and 5. Very severe cases will use a higher integer. 

Another method to calculate non-economic damages is the per diem method, which multiplies your expenses by the number of days you are expected to suffer from this issue. Our attorneys will determine which method will best capture your non-economic damages and include this in our demand letter. 

Strength of the Evidence Linking Suboxone to Your Injuries

Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits rely on the current medical literature that acknowledges a link between Suboxone use and serious dental issues. However, every patient is unique, and some may have additional issues that contribute to poor oral health. Medical research suggests that some tooth decay may have a genetic component, making individuals more susceptible to cavities or thin enamel than others.  

There is also a strong link between opioid use and tobacco addiction. Suboxone users who also smoke cigarettes or use snuff may suffer from tooth decay or cavities due to tobacco. We will demonstrate that while tobacco use may have contributed to some dental issues, the primary factor in developing cavities or tooth erosion was Suboxone treatment.  

Lastly, opioid addiction is associated with poor oral hygiene. Those who use opioids may delay or refuse dental treatments due to the stigma of substance addiction, and they may not keep up with dental hygiene at home, either. Insurance companies may argue that because this is a known issue for opioid users, you do not deserve a Suboxone settlement. 

As such, we must prove that it is Suboxone use, not previous opioid addiction, that contributed to your dental problems. This can be done through your medical records, interviews with experts, your personal testimony, and medical evidence about the specific nature of your dental issues. 

Impact of Any Prior Dental Issues

Insurance companies may use your medical history, like previous dental treatments or a history of dental health issues, to argue that your tooth decay was due to other factors. To counter this, our Suboxone lawyers will consult with medical professionals who can demonstrate that your dental injuries were caused by or exacerbated by the sublingual film. 

Additionally, it is worth noting that only 62.7% of Americans visit the dentist at least once a year. If you don’t receive regular dental treatments, or you didn’t get an exam shortly before taking Suboxone, the insurance company could claim that your dental issues are not related to Suboxone use. 

To counter this, our attorneys will use expert testimony, such as from professionals at the Northwestern Dental Center, to show that your dental damage is consistent with what other users have experienced. 

In Illinois, dentists are required to maintain their records for at least 10 years (225 ILCS § 25/50). We will subpoena records for any dentists you have visited, then work with experts to learn more about how any preexisting conditions may have been exacerbated by treating opioid addiction. 

Estimated Payout Ranges for Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits

There is no average suboxone lawsuit settlement because each case is unique. While previous suboxone settlement amounts can provide an idea of what others have received, you may receive more or less, depending on the unique factors of your case. 

Difficulty in Predicting Exact Payouts

Each suboxone tooth decay settlement depends on what dental issues you suffered, how much treatment you required, and how your life was impacted. This means that Suboxone settlements will vary among different individuals, even those who experienced similar problems. 

Your personal history can also influence the amount you receive. If you had a history of severe dental issues, it may be harder to prove that the injuries were caused by the drug. Likewise, using other substances that may impact oral hygiene may affect your settlement. 

Potential Payout Ranges Based on Injury Severity

Suboxone-related dental issues can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals only experienced problems like oral sensitivity, while others suffered severe tooth decay. 

Each case will be determined on an individual basis depending on the strength of your evidence. The sums below are estimates only and should not be taken as guaranteed amounts.

Minor Dental Damage: Mild tooth decay, such as damage to one tooth or a few fillings, may be worth $10,000 to $50,000.

Moderate Dental Damage: Dental issues affecting multiple teeth that require interventions such as root canals or crowns may entitle you to higher compensation. The range for these Suboxone settlements is between $50,000 and $150,000.

Severe Dental Damage: Some people may require multiple implants, surgery, or ongoing preventative care to mitigate further dental risks. In these cases, you may receive $150,000 to $500,000

Your Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit settlement amounts may differ from these estimates, especially since the multidistrict litigation is still ongoing. 

Settlements vs. Verdicts

Most cases like the Suboxone lawsuits will settle out of court. The legal process is both time-consuming and expensive, something that manufacturers would like to avoid. Because Suboxone lawsuit settlements are typically confidential, it is hard to estimate what others have received. 

An out-of-court settlement may be less than a lawsuit verdict, but it also guarantees you some compensation. The settlement process is also faster, which means you will have to pay fewer legal fees. 

If the manufacturer refuses to negotiate, our Suboxone tooth decay lawyers may decide to file a lawsuit. While you may receive a higher verdict than what is possible in a settlement, you may also receive nothing if the jury decides against you. 

After reviewing your case, we will determine whether to file a Suboxone lawsuit, considering factors such as your specific dental injuries and the strength of the evidence. 

How a Suboxone Lawsuit Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Compensation

Our law firm is highly experienced in product liability lawsuits and will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. We will organize your case, communicate with third parties, and use our negotiation skills to demand the highest possible compensation. 

By representing your best interests, we ensure that you receive fair compensation and protect you from underhanded insurance company tactics. 

Gathering and Organizing Medical Evidence

To file a Suboxone lawsuit, you must have clear proof that you experienced severe dental injuries after using the sublingual film. We will obtain and organize all your dental records and treatment bills to show that your tooth decay coincided with being prescribed this drug. 

If you had previous dental issues, we will work with experts to demonstrate how your new symptoms differ and were likely influenced by Suboxone use. 

In some cases, severe dental injuries can also result in secondary symptoms, including persistent inflammation, headaches, and bone infections. Through careful research and evaluation of your symptoms, we can determine if they are related to your Suboxone treatments. 

Calculating Your Total Damages

Your total economic and non-economic losses influence Suboxone settlement amounts. While you can estimate this yourself using a personal injury calculator, this is only an estimate. Only an experienced lawyer will be able to accurately determine an appropriate demand.

We will use every element of your case to evaluate damages. This includes all your dental treatments, future care, loss of income, and out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, we will utilize an injury multiplier to estimate non-economic costs, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. 

Negotiating with the Defendant’s Insurance Company

Emphasize the attorney’s experience in dealing with insurance companies and advocating for a fair settlement

The manufacturer’s insurance company wants to minimize your Suboxone settlement in order to protect their bottom line. As such, they will use a variety of tactics to diminish their responsibility. 

Some of these include claiming that you had preexisting conditions, that your tooth erosion was due to substance abuse, or that your issues do not match known symptoms of Suboxone dental decay. In other cases, they may refuse to investigate, delay negotiations until the statute of limitations has passed, or pressure you into accepting their first offer. 

With a lawyer at your side, you have a better chance of receiving a fair settlement. We will effectively present the evidence and use our experience with similar product liability lawsuits to show why you deserve our evaluated sum. We also understand what constitutes a fair settlement in a case like yours and can advise you on what to accept. 

The negotiation process can be lengthy, especially if you have a history of dental injuries or there is less evidence. It starts when our attorneys send a demand letter, which clearly states what we expect from a Suboxone settlement based on the available evidence. The insurance company will return with a lower sum, and we will help you decide whether to accept that amount. 

Negotiation continues until both parties agree on a fair settlement or until we decide to file a Suboxone lawsuit instead. We will advise you on whether the company’s final offer is fair and whether you are likely to be successful in court. 

Filing a Lawsuit and Representing You in Court

Explain the attorney’s role in litigating the case if a settlement cannot be reached

Many product liability cases are settled out of court, but sometimes this is not possible. If we find that the company is unwilling to negotiate, we will file a Suboxone lawsuit. This process involves sharing evidence with the other parties, known as discovery, and presenting information to a judge. 

Our team will coordinate all meetings with third parties, file paperwork with the appropriate court, and collaborate with other lawyers regarding a Suboxone MDL. This includes filing subpoenas to request records and completing depositions with key witnesses, which are interviews taken under oath. 

If the case does not settle before the trial date, we will share your story with a jury. The jury will decide which party has the stronger legal argument and award damages based on the evidence. If the jury sides with the defendant, you will not receive any compensation. The Illinois statute of limitations for a product liability lawsuit is two years, or 10 years after the product’s first sale (735 ILCS §5/13-213). As such, you must act quickly. Contact us today for a free case review.

Consult a Suboxone Lawyer Near You!

Suboxone manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings of potential dental problems related to this opioid addiction treatment. Hundreds of Suboxone lawsuits have already been filed, and our attorneys are here to help you file yours. 

With a 98% success rate and over $450 million recovered for our clients, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a top-rated product liability law firm serving the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding counties. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we earn you compensation.To schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Chicago, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.