IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA DARRELL ROBERTS, SR., as Administrator ) Of the Estate of Matthew Roberts, Deceased, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Civil Action No. ) RICHARD SNELLGROVE, M.D., and ) Plaintiff Demands Trial By Jury EASTERN SHORE INTERNAL MEDICINE, ) LLC.

1 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA DARRELL ROBERTS, SR., as Administrator ) Of the Estate of Matthew Roberts, Deceased, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Civil Action No. ) RICHARD SNELLGROVE, M.D., and ) Plaintiff Demands Trial By Jury EASTERN SHORE INTERNAL MEDICINE, ) LLC., and RITE-AID OF ALABAMA CORP., ) and RITE AID CORPORATION, INC. ) ) Defendants. ) COMPLAINT Plaintiff complains of Defendants as follows: ELECTRONICALLY FILED 1/30/2018 8:34 PM 05-CV CIRCUIT COURT OF BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA JODY WISE CAMPBELL, CLERK STATEMENT OF PARTIES 1. Plaintiff Darrell Roberts, Sr. is the Administrator of the Estate of Matthew Roberts, Deceased, a resident of the State of Mississippi, residing at 3701 Roberts Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, and is over the age of 19 years. 2. Defendant Richard Snellgrove, M.D. (hereafter Dr. Snellgrove ) is an Alabama resident over the age of 19 years who has conducted business in Baldwin County, Alabama as a physician, and may be served with process from this Honorable Court at 374 South Greeno Road, Suite C, Fairhope, AL Defendant Eastern Shore Internal Medicine, LLC (hereafter Eastern Shore Medicine ) is an Alabama LLC doing business in Baldwin County, Alabama, and may be served with process from this Honorable Court at 374 South Greeno Road, Suite C, Fairhope, AL At all times relevant hereto, Dr. Snellgrove was an agent, servant and employee of Eastern Shore Medicine. 1

2 4. Defendant Rite-Aid of Alabama Corp. is an Alabama corporation doing business in Baldwin County, Alabama, and may be served with process from this Honorable Court through C T Corporation System as registered agent at 2 North Jackson St., Suite 605 Montgomery, AL Defendant Rite Aid Corporation, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that owns and controls Rite-Aid of Alabama Corp. and the pharmacies thereunder, which act as agents of Rite Aid Corporation, Inc. Defendants Rite-Aid of Alabama Corp. and Rite Aid Corporation, Inc. are collectively referred to herein as Rite-Aid and may be served with process from this Honorable Court through C T Corporation System as registered agent at 2 North Jackson St., Suite 605 Montgomery, AL That the Court has both personal jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter herein. STATEMENT OF THE FACTS 7. Matthew Roberts died on August 20, 2016 as a direct and proximate result of opioid addiction and intoxication while under the care and treatment of Dr. Snellgrove. 8. When Matthew Roberts died on August 20, 2016, he had fentanyl delivery patches on his body and opioid and benzodiazepine pills in his possession. 9. Benzodiazepines are in a class of drugs used to treat anxiety. 10. Opioids are included in a class of prescription pain relievers derived from synthetic versions of opium. 11. Benzodiazepines should not be prescribed for a patient under long-term opioid treatment because both drugs depress the central nervous system which can result in slowed or difficult breathing and death. 12. There are serious risks associated with opioids, including tolerance, dependency, addiction, life-threatening respiratory depression, overdose and death. 2

3 13. Patients who take opioids develop tolerance and need greater amounts of opioids over time for pain relief. 14. Opioids change a patient s brain to make the body physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. 15. Patients who use opioids long term will become tolerant and dependent on the medication, and will become addicted to the medication. 16. Opioids are dangerous, and are categorized as Schedule II drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is the strictest classification for prescription drugs that have the potential to do the most harm. 17. Opioids should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose and are not recommended for long-term treatment of chronic pain. 18. Long-term opioid use has not been established as safe and effective for chronic non-cancer pain. 19. The standard of care requires physicians to conduct a risk assessment with a patient before prescribing opioids to discuss the risks and benefits of opioids with the patient. 20. The standard of care requires physicians to re-assess the risks and benefits of opioid treatment with a patient each time the opioid dose is increased. 21. The standard of care requires physicians to regularly monitor patients taking opioids for side effects and behaviors that indicate addiction. 22. The standard of care requires physicians monitoring patients on opioids to chart their risk assessments of such patients. 3

4 23. The standard of care requires physicians to track the amount of opioids a patient is taking to ensure the patient does not exceed the maximum daily dose of between 90 and 120 milligrams of the morphine equivalency dose, or MED. 24. The standard of care requires physicians who suspect a patient is addicted to opioids to cease prescription of opioids and help the patient wean off of them. 25. The standard of care requires physicians to avoid prescribing benzodiazepines along with chronic opioid therapy because the interaction of such drugs can cause death. 26. Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Matthew Roberts high levels of opioids beginning in February of 2006 through March of 2012, causing him to become addicted. 27. From February of 2006 through March of 2012, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Matthew Roberts opioids such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, OxyContin, Opana ER, Suboxone, and Fentanyl. The Fentanyl was prescribed in a patch that delivered the drug through the skin. 28. From February of 2006 through March of 2012, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Matthew Roberts benzodiazepines such as Alprazolam (Xanax); Diazepam (Valium); and Lorazepam (Ativan). 29. Between February of 2006 and March 2012, Matthew Roberts morphine equivalency dose exceeded 120 milligrams on multiple occasions. 30. Dr. Snellgrove s prescriptions of opioids and benzodiazepines for Matthew Roberts from February 2006 through March of 2012 is contained in the following chart: Pharmacy Medication Date of Prescription Walgreens Alprazolam 0.5 mg (Xanax) 2/13/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/500mg 2/27/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 3/3/2006 Walgreens Alprazolam 0.5 mg (Xanax) 3/7/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 5mg/500mg 4/12/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 4/20/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 5/23/2006 4

5 Walgreens Alprazolam 1 mg (Xanax) 5/25/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 6/20/2006 Walgreens Alprazolam 1 mg (Xanax) 7/3/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 11/30/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 12/22/2006 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 1/10/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 2/1/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 2/21/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 3/27/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 4/21/2007 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 4/21/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 5/7/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 5/17/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 6/1/2007 Walgreens Oxycodone/APAP mg 6/12/2007 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 6/12/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10 mg/325 mg 7/9/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10 mg/325 mg 8/7/2007 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 8/10/2007 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 8/29/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 9/21/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 10/16/2007 Walgreens Opana ER 40 mg 10/18/2007 CVS Opana ER 40 mg 11/1/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 11/15/2007 Walgreens Opana ER 40 mg 11/19/2007 CVS Opana ER 40 mg 11/26/2007 Walgreens OxyContin 80 mg 12/2/2007 Walgreens Oxycodone 80 mg ER 12/6/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 12/13/2007 Walgreens Opana ER 20 mg tab 12/26/2007 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 12/26/2007 Walgreens Opana ER 20 mg 12/26/2007 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 1/9/2008 Walgreens Opana ER 20 mg 1/18/2008 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 1/18/2008 Walgreens Opana ER 20 mg 1/18/2008 Walgreens Oxazepam 15 mg Capsules 1/28/2008 Walgreens Serax 15 mg 1/28/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/1/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/11/2008 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 2/19/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/22/2008 5

6 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 3/2/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 3/13/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 3/17/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 4/4/2008 Walgreens Hydrocodone/APAP 10mg/500mg 4/7/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 4/14/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 4/28/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 5/6/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 5/11/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 5/19/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 5/25/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 6/2/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 6/30/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 7/11/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 7/25/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 8/2/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 8/5/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 8/12/2008 Walgreens Oxycodone /APPA 10 mg/325mg 8/31/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/2/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 9/16/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/24/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 10/6/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 10/10/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 11/6/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 11/20/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 11/30/2008 CVS Methadone 10 mg 12/23/2008 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 1/2/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 1/14/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 1/18/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 2/1/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/5/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 2/16/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/19/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 3/5/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 3/17/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 4/11/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 4/21/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 5/3/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 5/14/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 5/27/2009 6

7 CVS Methadone 10 mg 5/28/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 6/12/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 6/23/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 7/3/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 7/15/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 7/27/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 8/3/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 8/12/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 8/21/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/3/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/16/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 9/29/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 10/10/2009 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 10/24/2009 CVS Methadone 10 mg 11/5/2009 Walgreens Buprenorphine 8mg 11/17/2009 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 11/18/2009 Walgreens Suboxone 8 mg/2 mg SL 11/23/2009 Walgreens Suboxone 8 mg/2 mg SL 12/12/2009 Walgreens Suboxone 8 mg/2 mg SL 1/4/2010 Walgreens Suboxone 2 mg/0.5 mg SL 1/30/2010 Walgreens Suboxone 2 mg/0.5 mg SL 2/17/2010 Walgreens Buspirone 30 mg Tablets; Buspar 3/5/2010 Walgreens Suboxone 2 mg/0.5 mg SL 3/22/2010 Walgreens Subtex 2 mg SL 4/28/2010 Walgreens Subtex 2 mg SL 5/31/2010 CVS Methadone 10 mg 7/10/2010 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 8/4/2010 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/9/2010 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 10/5/2010 Walgreens Buprenorphine 2mg 10/30/2010 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 11/16/2010 CVS Oxycodone / Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/18/2010 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 11/19/2010 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 11/29/2010 Walgreens Fentanyl 75 mcg 11/29/2010 Walgreens Fentanyl 75 mcg 12/28/2010 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 1/16/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 1/27/2011 Walgreens Buprenorphine 8 mg 1/27/2011 CVS Fentanyl 100 mcg 2/11/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 2/11/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 2/26/2011 7

8 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 3/5/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 3/18/2011 Walgreens OxyContin 80 mg 3/25/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 3/27/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 4/8/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 4/17/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 4/25/2011 Walgreens OxyContin 80 mg 4/25/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 5/6/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 5/16/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 5/16/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 6/22/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 7/5/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 7/8/2011 Walgreens Buprenorphine 8 mg 7/6/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 8/1/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 8/2/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 8/29/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 8/30/2011 Walgreens Fentanyl 100 mcg 9/9/2011 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 9/19/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 9/28/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 10/10/2011 Walgreens Diazepam 10 mg (Valium) 10/17/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 11/7/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 11/8/2011 Walgreens Oxycodone / Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/30/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 12/3/2011 CVS Methadone 10 mg 12/5/2011 Walgreens Buprenorphine 2 mg 12/9/2011 Walgreens Oxazepam 15 mg 12/20/2011 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 12/20/2011 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 12/28/2011 CVS Methadone 10 mg 12/29/2011 CVS Fentanyl 100 mcg 1/4/2012 CVS Buprenorphine 8 mg 1/5/2012 Walgreens Lorazepam 2 mg (Ativan) 1/13/2012 CVS Methadone 10 mg 1/10/2012 Walgreens Lorazepam 2 mg (Ativan) 1/30/2012 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 1/30/2012 Walgreens Lorazepam 2 mg (Ativan) 2/12/2012 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 2/12/2012 8

9 Walgreens Methadone 10 mg 3/16/ In March of 2012, Matthew Roberts was admitted for treatment of chemical dependency with regard to opiates and benzodiazepines. 32. Dr. Snellgrove s over-prescription of opioids and benzodiazepines caused or contributed to cause Matthew Roberts to be admitted for treatment of chemical dependency in March of When Matthew Roberts emerged from treatment for chemical dependency, he returned to Dr. Snellgrove for treatment. 34. From March of 2012 through August of 2014, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed benzodiazepines to Matthew Roberts, along with drugs that are used to treat opioid addiction, such as methadone and suboxone. 35. In September of 2014, Dr. Snellgrove began again to prescribe high levels of opioids to Matthew Roberts along with benzodiazepines. 36. Dr. Snellgrove s prescriptions of opioids and benzodiazepines from September of 2014 until Matthew Roberts died on August 20, 2016 are contained in the following chart: Pharmacy Medication Date of Prescription Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/5/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/11/2014 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 9/11/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/18/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/25/2014 CVS Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 10/1/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/2/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/9/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/16/2014 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 10/23/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/23/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/30/2014 Rite Aid Diazepam 5 mg (Valium) 10/30/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/5/2014 9

10 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/13/2014 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 11/13/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/20/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 12/4/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 12/11/2014 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 12/18/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 12/18/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 12/24/2014 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/26/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/3/2015 Rite Aid Clonazepam 1 mg - (Klonopin) 1/8/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/8/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 1/15/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/15/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/19/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/26/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 2/13/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 2/19/2015 Rite Aid Oxycodone- Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 2/25/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 2/26/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 3/19/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 3/19/2015 Walgreens Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 3/23/2015 Walgreens Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 4/3/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 4/16/2015 Walgreens Nucynta 100 mg (Tapentadol) 4/30/2015 Walgreens Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 4/30/2015 Walgreens Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 5/5/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 5/20/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 5/21/2015 Walgreens Oxymorphone Acetaminophen 10 mg 6/8/2015 Walgreens Oxymorphone Acetaminophen 10 mg 6/18/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 6/20/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 6/24/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 7/2/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 7/18/2015 Publix Oxymorphone HCL 10 mg 7/27/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 7/30/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 8/20/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 8/27/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 8/27/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 8/31/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/8/

11 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/14/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 9/15/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/17/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 9/28/2015 Walgreens Oxymorphone 10 mg 10/7/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone - Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 10/12/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 10/13/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 11/9/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 12/3/2015 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 12/10/2015 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 1/2/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 1/12/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 2/10/2016 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 2/10/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 3/7/2016 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 3/8/2016 Walgreens Fentanyl 50 mcg 3/14/2016 Rite Aid Fentanyl 25 mcg 3/22/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 3/29/2016 Walgreens Fentanyl 50 mcg 4/14/2016 Walgreens Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 5/2/2016 Walgreens Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 5/2/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 5/31/2016 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 6/14/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 6/30/2016 Walgreens Fentanyl 50 mcg 7/12/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 7/20/2016 Walgreens Fentanyl 75 mcg 7/20/2016 Rite Aid Lorazepam 1 mg (Ativan) 8/2/2016 Rite Aid Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen 10mg/325mg 8/18/2016 CVS Fentanyl 75 mcg 8/18/ From September of 2014 until August 20, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove also wrote prescriptions for relatives of Matthew Roberts, without treating such relatives, with the intent that the prescriptions would be used by Matthew Roberts. Those prescriptions were for opioids and benzodiazepines, including Xanax. 11

12 38. On August 13, 2015, Dr. Snellgrove wrote a prescription in the name of Darrell Roberts, Sr. for opioids (75 Norco 10 mg.) and benzodiazepines (30 Ativan 1 mg), with the intent that the prescription would be used by Matthew Roberts. 39. On March 24, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove wrote a prescription for opioids (10 Fentanyl patches 75 mcg/hr.) in the name of a cousin of Matthew Roberts, with the intent that the prescription would be filled and used by Matthew Roberts. 40. On April 18, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove wrote a prescription for opioids (10 Fentanyl patches 50 mcg/hr.) in the name of a cousin of Matthew Roberts, with the intent that the prescription would be filled and used by Matthew Roberts. 41. On August 2, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Matthew Roberts a thirty day supply of Lorezepam (Ativan), a benzodiazepine, which was filled at the Rite-Aid pharmacy in Spanish Fort, Alabama. 42. On August 17, 2016, Matthew Roberts and Dr. Snellgrove exchanged text messages between 1:43 p.m. and 1:50 p.m. in which Matthew Roberts arranged to see Dr. Snellgrove in his Spanish Fort, Alabama office the following evening, August 18, On the early evening of August 18, 2016, Dr. Snellgrove wrote two prescriptions for Matthew Roberts for a 30-day supply of 50 mcg transdermal fentanyl patches and a 30 day supply of 10/325 Norco pills containing 75 tablets. These opioids were prescribed to Matthew Roberts despite the fact that Mr. Roberts was prescribed a benzodiazepine by Dr. Snellgrove 16 days before. 44. Between 6:30 p.m. and 7:17 p.m. on August 18, 2016, Matthew Roberts took the two opioid prescriptions across the street from Dr. Snellgrove s office to the Rite Aid pharmacy 12

13 in Spanish Fort and presented them to Rite-Aid pharmacist Erica Mitchell, who was working in the course and scope of her employment for Rite-Aid. 45. Pharmacist Mitchell filled the prescription for the 75 Norco pills, but refused to fill the prescription for fentanyl, stating that they did not have the 50mcg fentanyl patches in stock. 46. Between 7:17 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. on August 18, 2016, Matthew Roberts returned to Dr. Snellgrove who prescribed 75 mcg fentanyl patches instead of 50 mcg patches and returned to Rite-Aid, but Pharmacist Mitchell told Mr. Roberts she had no 75 mcg fentanyl patches in stock despite the fact such patches were in stock at the location. 47. Prior to August 2016, Rite-Aid entered a settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice in which Rite-Aid agreed to maintain a program to detect and prevent diversion of controlled substances as required under the Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulations. 48. Prior to August 2016, Rite-Aid entered a settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice in which it agreed to routine and periodic training of its pharmacists responsible for dispensing controlled substances regarding compliance and responsibilities under the Controlled Substances Act. 49. Pharmacist Mitchell suspected Matthew Roberts of a pattern of drug-seeking or addictive behavior on August 18, 2016, yet she filled the Norco opioid prescription and did not report Matthew Roberts or Dr. Snellgrove to the local Drug Enforcement Agency or Alabama Board of Pharmacy. 13

14 50. Pharmacist Mitchell was inadequately trained by Rite-Aid with regard to reporting Matthew Roberts or Dr. Snellgrove to the local Drug Enforcement Agency or Alabama Board of Pharmacy. 51. At approximately 7:53 p.m. on August 18, 2016, Matthew Roberts presented his prescription from Dr. Snellgrove for 75 mcg fentanyl patches to the CVS pharmacy in Daphne, Alabama, where the prescription was filled. 52. Matthew Roberts thereafter used and overdosed on the 75 mcg fentanyl patches and opioid Norco pills, while also under the influence of benzodiazepines, causing his death. 53. Dr. Snellgrove has been indicted in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Alabama in the death of Matthew Roberts, and charged under 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) [Controlled Substances Act] for distributing or dispensing a controlled substance for no legitimate medical need outside the usual course of professional practice. COUNT I WRONGFUL DEATH AGAINST DR. SNELLGROVE AND EASTERN SHORE MEDICINE 54. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs, with all the force and effect as if fully set forth herein. This claim is brought under the Alabama Wrongful Death Statute and the Alabama Medical Liability Act. 55. Defendants Dr. Snellgrove and Eastern Shore Medicine were negligent, grossly negligent, wanton, and or reckless in at least the following respects: a. Failing to conduct a risk assessment with Matthew Roberts before prescribing opioids to him and discussing the risks and benefits with him with regard to each prescription; b. Failing to re-assess the risks and benefits of opioid treatment with Matthew Roberts each time the opioid dose prescription was increased; 14

15 c. Failing to regularly monitor Matthew Roberts for side effects and behaviors that indicate addiction; d. Failing to monitor Matthew Roberts and chart his risk assessments of Matthew Roberts; e. Failing to track the amount of opioids Matthew Roberts was taking to ensure he did not exceed the maximum daily dose of between 90 and 120 milligrams of the morphine equivalency dose, or MED ; f. Failing to cease prescription of opioids to Matthew Roberts and help wean him off opioids when Dr. Snellgrove knew or should have known Matthew Roberts was addicted to opioids; g. Failing to avoid prescribing benzodiazepines along with chronic opioid therapy because the interaction of such drugs can cause death; h. Prescribing both high-dose fentanyl patches and Norco opioid pills to Matthew Roberts to be used during the same time periods when Dr. Snellgrove knew or should have known Matthew Roberts was addicted to opioids; i. Prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines to persons other than Matthew Roberts with the knowledge and intent that such prescriptions would be used by Matthew Roberts; j. Distributing a controlled substances for no legitimate medical need outside the usual course of professional practice; and k. Failing to observe and follow the Controlled Substance Act. 56. Dr. Snellgrove and Eastern Shore demonstrated conscious disregard for the health and safety of Matthew Roberts and others. 15

16 WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment against the defendants jointly and severally for punitive damages in an amount to be determined by the jury, for the wrongful death of Matthew Roberts, plus costs. COUNT II WRONGFUL DEATH AGAINST RITE-AID 57. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs, with all the force and effect as if fully set forth herein. This claim is brought under the Alabama Wrongful Death Statute and the Alabama Medical Liability Act. 58. Under the Controlled Substances Act, pharmacies and pharmacists owe a duty of responsibility with regard to the dispensing of controlled substances such that if they detect or suspect a pattern of controlled substance abuse, they are to report such abuse to the DEA or State Board of Pharmacy. 59. Under the Controlled Substances Act, pharmacies and pharmacists owe a duty to ensure that controlled substances are dispensed for a legitimate medical need within the usual course of professional conduct. 60. Defendant Ride-Aid, through its agents and employees, was negligent, grossly negligent, wanton, and or reckless in at least the following respects: a. Failing to report a pattern of suspected abuse of controlled substances by Matthew Roberts to the DEA or Alabama Board of Pharmacy; and b. Dispensing controlled substances for no legitimate medical need outside the usual course of professional conduct; and c. Failing to train its pharmacists regarding compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulations. 16

17 WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment against defendants jointly and severally for punitive damages in an amount to be determined by the jury, for the wrongful death of Matthew Roberts, plus costs. PLAINTIFF DEMANDS A TRIAL BY JURY ON ALL COUNTS Respectfully submitted this the 30th day of January, /s/ Joey D Dumas JOEY D. DUMAS (ALB# DUM010) Presented to the Court by: Joey D. Dumas (ALB# DUM010) Dumas Law Firm, LLC. Post Office Box 3046 Mobile, AL (Telephone) joey@joeydumaslaw.com Pascal Bruijn (ALB# BRU022) Pascal Bruijn, LLC. Post Office Box 811 Fairhope, AL pascalbruijn@me.com (Pending admission by Pro Hac Vice) L. Joe Beard (MSB# ) Beard & Stewart, Attorneys at Law, PLLC. Post Office Box 1177 Leakesville, MS (601) (Telephone) (601) (Facsimile) joeblaw@hotmail.com (Pending admission by Pro Hac Vice Thomas P. Cartmell (MOB# 45366) tcartmell@wcllp.com Brian J. Madden (MOB# 40637) Bmadden@wcllp.com Jeffrey M. Kuntz (MOB# 52371) jkuntz@wcllp.com Luke Callahan (MOB# 67983) lcallahan@wcllp.com Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP 17

18 4740 Grand Avenue Suite 300 Kansas City, MO (816) (Telephone) (816) (Facsimile) 18

20/0.8mg, 30/1.2mg, Films 90 MME/day Belbuca (buprenorphine) 75mcg, 150mcg, 300mcg, 450mcg 60 units per 90 days

20/0.8mg, 30/1.2mg, Films 90 MME/day Belbuca (buprenorphine) 75mcg, 150mcg, 300mcg, 450mcg 60 units per 90 days Pre - PA Allowance Quantity Extended Release Tablets or Capsules 90 MME/day Medication Strength Avinza (morphine) 60mg, 75mg, 90mg Embeda (morphine /naltrexone) 50/2mg, 60/2.4mg, 80/3.2mg Exalgo (hydromorphone)