On Wednesday, a federal court jury found that Dr. Michael Belfiore, an osteopathic family medicine physician,who practiced in Merrick, New York had illegally prescribed oxycodone to two Nassau County residents. These two patients of Belfiore, (one of whom was a combat veteran who served in Iraq) died of an overdose shortly after being prescribed 120-150 30 milligram pills of oxycodone. Dr. Belfiore is looking at a sentence of at least 20 years. According to Newsday, Dr. Belfiore was taking cash from his patients who became addicted to oxycodone. Belfiore surrendered his license to practice in 2015.

Doctor's like Belfiore expose themselves to both criminal and civil liability for illegally prescribing opioids. The families of his two patients are entitled to monetary compensation for their addiction and wrongful death.