J&J Appeals Okla's $465M Opioid Verdict

J&J Appeals Okla's $465M Opioid Verdict

Introduction

On Monday, attorneys on behalf of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)  and Janssen Pharmaceuticals filed an appeal over Oklahoma judge’s ruling to pay $465 million to help the state recover from the opioid crisis.

According to the appeal filed, the company argued that Judge Thad Balkman made many errors during the trial held earlier this year. The company also said that the judge misapplied the state’s public nuisance laws in reaching his decision, and the award should be reduced by $355 million to offset pretrial settlements between the state and two other drugmakers.

The state filed a lawsuit in 2017, alleging J&J and other drug companies for fuelling the opioid epidemic in Oklahoma, which led to the death of tens of thousands of Oklahomans. The lawsuit resulted in a $572 million verdict that was later reduced to $465 million after Judge Balkman admitted miscalculation.

The state also has plans to appeal for the $465 million, stating that it would only cover one year of its cleanup plan, which can only be done until Monday.