Illinois Woman Settles with Johnson & Johnson in Duragesic Fentanyl Suit

By Jim Greene

Published on May 07, 2010

An Illinois woman whose husband died from an overdose of the powerful prescription painkiller fentanyl has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against drug giant Johnson & Johnson and two of its subsidiaries involved in making and distributing the Duragesic® fentanyl patch. The plaintiff sued for more than $250,000; the settlement amount has not been disclosed.

Cliff Cruse, of Granite City, Ill., died in his sleep April 12, 2006, after using a Duragesic® patch for about 16 months to treat chronic lower back pain, according to a lawsuit filed by his widow Leigh Ann Cruse. The suit accused Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceutical Products, and Alza Corporation of negligence, claiming the companies knew some defective patches had delivered fatal overdoses and had not taken the steps necessary to prevent a recurrence.

Fentanyl is 100 Times Stronger than Morphine

The Duragesic® patch contains fentanyl in gel form and is meant to deliver the drug through the skin at a consistent rate. The painkiller is a synthetic opioid about 100 times stronger than morphine.

Dr. Syed Ali prescribed the Duragesic® patch for Cliff Cruse in November 2004 and renewed the prescription each month until Cruse's death. Ali and Tri-City Neurology Associates Ltd, a medical practice to which he belongs, were originally defendants in the lawsuit, but were dismissed without prejudice.

Victim Never Awoke from Afternoon Nap

According to the lawsuit, Cliff Cruse was wearing a Duragesic® patch when he laid down for a nap about 1 p.m. on the day of his death. Leigh Ann Cruse said she checked on her husband at about 5:30 p.m. and thought he was sleeping. She said her son Dustin attempted to wake Cliff Cruse at around midnight and found him unresponsive.

Cliff Cruse was declared dead at about 1:15 a.m. April 13, 2006. Subsequent testing revealed a lethal concentration of fentanyl in his system.

If you or someone you know has been injured or lost a loved one due to an overdose of fentanyl from a Duragesic® transdermal patch or other source, contact an experienced product liability/personal injury/wrongful death attorney. You may be eligible for financial compensation to help you deal with the tragic consequences that can result from using this powerful painkiller.

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