Baltimore, Maryland — A judge has ruled that jurors overstepped by awarding the city an excessive sum in a recent verdict against two major drug distributors, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. The decision follows a November trial where jurors determined that these companies had unreasonably supplied large quantities of painkillers that contributed significantly to Baltimore’s opioid crisis.
Jurors held McKesson and AmerisourceBergen accountable for an alarming 97% of the city’s opioid epidemic and awarded Baltimore $266 million in damages. However, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill indicated that this amount was disproportionate to the evidence presented, suggesting that it be cut down to $52 million. “The Court finds that the verdict rendered is grossly excessive in light of the evidence and is shocking to the Court,” Fletcher-Hill remarked.
Attorneys representing the drug companies contended that the jury’s decision to pin such a substantial amount of responsibility on them was illogical, pointing to street-level illegal drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, as significant factors in the crisis. In their appeal, they urged Fletcher-Hill to either overturn the ruling, lower the financial penalty, or mandate a new trial. The judge ultimately provided the city with a choice: accept the reduced amount or face a new trial to reassess damages.
Fletcher-Hill’s ruling did not tackle an additional $5 billion that Baltimore had sought from the companies to address future opioid-related issues. This request was distinct from the November verdict, which focused on past actions related to drug distribution. The judge stated that proceeding with a future-oriented remedy was inappropriate while considering the need for a possible new trial.
To date, Baltimore has secured over $400 million from settlements with various pharmaceutical companies concerning the opioid crisis. These settlements encompass a $45 million agreement with Allergan, a $45 million deal with CVS, a $152 million settlement with Cardinal Health, along with $80 million from Tiva and $80.5 million from Walgreens, all expected to be finalized in the coming months.
In reaction to the judge’s ruling, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the court’s recognition of the companies’ liability. He emphasized that the city was evaluating all legal avenues going forward. “While the court acknowledged that the City proved that McKesson and AmerisourceBergen were liable for the City’s opioids crisis, we are disappointed that the court abandoned the remainder of the findings of the jury,” Scott stated.
The mayor underscored the city’s commitment to advocate for the families affected by the opioid epidemic. He affirmed that Baltimore was the only municipality in the nation to secure verdicts against these drug companies and reiterated the importance of pursuing legal action to ensure accountability. “We must not lose sight of the heart of this effort. We stood tall to say Baltimore deserved more, that the families destroyed by these companies deserved better,” he added.
This ruling and the ongoing efforts by Baltimore officials signal a persistent fight against the opioid crisis that has deeply affected the community, as the city seeks further justice and remediation for its residents.
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