Quebec Opioid Class Action Lawyers Reach Community Centers

Lawyers representing plaintiffs in a major class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers in Quebec are taking their outreach directly to community centers, pharmacies, and hospitals in an effort to connect with thousands of potential claimants who are difficult to reach through conventional means. The lawsuit, authorized by Quebec’s Superior Court in 2024, alleges eight companies deliberately misrepresented the addictive risks of their prescription opioid drugs.

The legal action initially targeted 16 companies. Several have since settled, providing a total of approximately $22 million, while eight defendants continue to contest the case. To qualify for the class, individuals must have been prescribed opioids and subsequently diagnosed with opioid use disorder, commonly known as addiction.

Legal representatives say finding and enrolling those who are eligible has proven challenging. Lawyer Margo Siminovitch noted that an estimated 13,000 people in Quebec have received treatment for opioid addiction, yet only about 1,400 have registered as potential class members. She described the gap as indicative of a significant problem.

Many potential claimants face circumstances that make...