Exploring the Rise of Bankruptcy Court in Public Harms Litigation: Case in Focus – Harrington v. Purdue Pharma

Washington, DC – The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Monday in a case that highlights the increasing use of bankruptcy court by corporations involved in public harms litigation. The case in question is Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy deal, which seeks to shield the company’s owners, the Sackler family, from civil liability in exchange for a $6 billion contribution to a settlement. This raises important questions about the role of bankruptcy court in addressing public health crises and whether bypassing the traditional civil litigation process is an effective solution. Bankruptcy court has become an attractive … Read more

High-Stakes Battle: Supreme Court Weighs Release of Liability for Purdue Pharma Founders in Ongoing Mass Tort Bankruptcy Cases

Washington, D.C. – Mass tort bankruptcies faced significant difficulties in 2023, with the dismissal of two cases and the fate of two others hanging in the balance. A closely watched legal battle involving the Sacklers, founders of Purdue Pharma, reached the U.S. Supreme Court on December 4th. This case centered around the release of liability granted to the Sacklers as part of the pharmaceutical company’s $6 billion bankruptcy plan, which has raised concerns. The Supreme Court’s oral arguments held on December 4th showcased the growing scrutiny surrounding the Sacklers and their role in the opioid … Read more