Opioid

Baltimore Judge Slashes $266M Opioid Settlement to $100M, Leaves City to Decide on Future Options

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Baltimore, Maryland, is facing a legal setback in its fight against the opioid epidemic as a judge has rejected a jury’s suggested $266 million award against pharmaceutical giants McKesson and Cencora, previously known as AmerisourceBergen. Instead, the court has offered the city a more modest $100 million in abatement funds. The legal action, initiated by Baltimore in 2024, accused both companies of contributing to the opioid crisis by distributing excessive quantities of prescription opioids in the region. According to city officials, McKesson and Cencora were responsible for around 60% of the prescription opioid market in … Read more

Judge Slashes Baltimore’s $266 Million Verdict Against Drug Giants, Citing Excessive Damages in Opioid Case

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BALTIMORE — A judge has determined that jurors significantly overstepped in their financial award to the city in a major drug-related case against two pharmaceutical giants. Following a verdict last November that held McKesson and AmerisourceBergen accountable for exacerbating Baltimore’s opioid crisis, the presiding judge suggested modifying the initial damages awarded from $266 million to just $52 million. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill ruled that the jurors’ decision was “grossly excessive” and prompted concern, stating that the initial verdict was “shocking” given the presented evidence. The case centered around claims that the companies had … Read more

Purdue Pharma’s $7 Billion Opioid Settlement Gains Momentum as All 50 States Show Support

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A judge in New York is poised to potentially approve a $7 billion settlement involving Purdue Pharma, following unanimous support from all 50 states. This agreement stems from the pharmaceutical company’s role in the opioid crisis that has claimed countless lives across the nation. Under the settlement, Purdue Pharma will be required to allocate funds toward treatment programs, addressing the impacts of addiction, and enhancing public health initiatives. This financial commitment underscores a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities and strained healthcare systems. The settlement framework … Read more

Maryland Judge Slashes $266 Million Opioid Ruling, Calls for New Trial or Reduced Damages of $51.8 Million

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Baltimore, Maryland — A judge in Baltimore has deemed a jury’s award of $266 million in a public nuisance case against two pharmaceutical companies as excessively high, setting the stage for potential changes in the ongoing opioid litigation. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill announced on Thursday that he would grant a new trial unless the plaintiff agrees to a significant reduction in the damages, proposing to limit the financial liability to $51.8 million instead. The case centers on accusations that the two drug companies contributed to the opioid crisis plaguing the city, … Read more