Toxic Tort Legal Glossary: O

Off-Label Prescriptions: Off-label use of a drug is when a drug is prescribed for uses that have not been approved by the FDA. Doctors can legally prescribe drugs for off-label uses, based upon their own experiences or the studies of other doctors, and this practice has been used for years, often with a high degree of effectiveness. However, when a pharmaceutical company promotes a drug for off-label uses, it is illegal and very dangerous.

Off-Site Facility: A hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal area that is located away from the generating site.

Oncology: Study of cancer.

Opening Statement: The factual presentation by an attorney for one party, which takes place at the beginning of a trial. It summarizes what the attorney plans to present and prove during the trial. The defendant's attorney may delay the opening statement for the defense until the plaintiff's evidence has been introduced.

Organism: Any living being, whether plant, mammal, bird, insect, reptile, fish, crustacean, aquatic or estuarine animal, or bacterium.

Organophosphates: Pesticides that contain phosphorus; short-lived, but some can be toxic when first applied.

OxyContin: OxyContin is an opioid analgesic in a time-release formula that, when taken as prescribed, releases the narcotic oxycodone to relieve pain for up to 12 hours.OxyContin users are at risk of developing an addiction to the drug, in addition to respiratory depression, a potentially fatal risk. The drug may also result in the shutdown of the cardiovascular system