Expected Suboxone Lawsuit Payout Per Person (2026)

Suboxone Lawsuit Settlement Overview and Expected Payout Ranges

Suboxone is a combination of an opioid and an opioid antagonist. This medication can be used in medically assisted treatment programs for opiate addiction because it reduces cravings and has a low overdose risk.

In 2002, Suboxone was approved as a tablet. By 2010, Suboxone’s developer, Reckitt Benckiser, had reformulated Suboxone as a dissolvable film. It was administered by placing the film under the patient’s tongue.

Reckitt Benckiser eventually spun off its Suboxone business into a company called Indivior, which inherited all of the benefits and liabilities associated with Suboxone.

In 2023, plaintiffs started filing product liability lawsuits against Indivior and Reckitt Benckiser. These lawsuits claimed that the dissolvable film delivery system caused dental erosion and tooth decay.

None of these cases has reached trial, and no cases have been publicly settled. Thus, there is no solid guidance about the possible Suboxone lawsuit payout per person. However, the settlement could potentially range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per Suboxone lawsuit, depending on the severity of their injuries and the dental expenses they incurred.

Current Status and Updates on Suboxone Tooth Decay Litigation

The Suboxone cases filed in federal court were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Ohio. An MDL allows the cases to remain separate but gives the plaintiffs’ lawyers an avenue to cooperate in gathering evidence and filing motions. As a result, the plaintiffs save time and money compared to litigating their cases individually.

The Suboxone MDL is still pending. However, a key moment is scheduled to occur in 2026 as the first bellwether cases reach trial. These cases are selected by the parties because they contain representative claims and losses. The resulting trial verdict guides the parties as they negotiate a settlement. Specifically, the bellwether trials tell the parties who is likely to win and inform a probable Suboxone lawsuit payout per person.

Dental Problems and Health Complications From Suboxone Use

The plaintiffs allege that the Suboxone dissolvable film is acidic. When users dissolve the film under their tongue, the acid attacks their teeth, causing the enamel to erode and develop pits. Bacteria invade the pits in the eroded teeth, leading to tooth decay.

Some possible effects of this process include the following:

• Tooth loss
• Dental procedures, including fillings, root canals and crowns
• Systemic infections from infected teeth

Importantly, the plaintiffs allege that Indivior’s warnings and instructions omitted any mention of dental erosion or tooth decay. Thus, they argue that they could not take preventive actions, like brushing their teeth after using the medication, to reduce the side effects.

Key Factors That Determine Individual Settlement Amounts

In many MDL cases where manufacturers allegedly released dangerous drugs, the global settlement is structured with different tiers based on several factors that attempt to quantify the plaintiff’s economic damages. While the Suboxone lawsuits have not yet reached this point, an eventual settlement may consider the following factors:

• Age
• Severity of the injuries
• Amounts expended on dental treatment
• Income lost due to injuries and recovery time

These factors will help the settlement administrators determine each individual’s payout.

Types of Damages and Compensation Available

Plaintiffs who go to trial can seek compensation for economic losses, such as income losses, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. The goal is to reimburse the plaintiff for all financial costs of their injuries.

Additionally, plaintiffs can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, including physical and mental anguish, disabilities and disfigurement due to their damaged or lost teeth.

How to Calculate Your Potential Settlement Value

You will document your losses using financial records, such as receipts, medical bills and credit card statements. You will also need wage information to prove any time that you missed from work due to treatment or recovery associated with your dental injuries. You can estimate your potential settlement value by adding up all of these losses.

Settlement Distribution Process and Payment Methods

When the cases eventually settle, plaintiffs will likely submit questionnaires to the settlement administrator. They will be categorized according to their answers, and their category will determine their payout.

Legal Process and Steps to Pursue a Suboxone Settlement

If Indivior and Reckitt Benckiser offer a global settlement, plaintiffs must choose whether to accept the settlement or continue their lawsuits. Depending on the terms of the settlement, it may also be open to non-litigants. However, this is not guaranteed since many claims may be time-barred under the statute of limitations in the victim’s state.

Importance of Legal Representation in Suboxone Cases

A lawyer can provide valuable legal advice and analysis in deciding whether to sue and, if a global settlement occurs, whether to settle. ConsumerShield helps injured people understand their options and find legal representation. Contact us for a free case review and a referral to a product liability attorney who can assist you.