Purdue Pharma’s Bankruptcy Filing Might Delay Opioid Trial

Purdue Pharma’s Bankruptcy Filing Might Delay Opioid Trial

Introduction

On March 4, Monday,  Reuters reported that Purdue Pharma was considering to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy,  as it faces over 2,000 lawsuits over allegations that it contributed to America’s deadly opioid epidemic.

The decision would mean significant delays and complications for thousands of lawsuits linked to opioid-addiction filed in every corner of the nation. In the trial for the case brought by Oklahoma attorney general, the jury will decide whether Purdue was liable for the opioid addiction crisis. Last week, Purdue filed a motion for continuance,  citing massive data dumped over by the attorney general's office. Attorney General Mike Hunter retorted that the motion was a tactic to avoid the trial. According to the Reuters’ report, Purdue was planning bankruptcy filing to address its increasing liabilities over the opioid crisis. A Chapter 11 filing would halt the trial and send them into bankruptcy court. Hunter wrote, “there is no reason to move the trial date. Defendants’ attempt to do so with this motion is frivolous, desperate, and disingenuous—as is their last-minute request to once again delay their expert disclosures. This court has been clear: we are going to trial on May 28, 2019.” The case filed in 2017, alleged that Purdue Pharma,  Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Teva Pharmaceuticals, marketed prescription painkillers as safe and non-addictive for chronic pain relief.

Opioid lawsuits are consolidated into a multidistrict litigation MDL No. 2804 (In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation) overlooked by Judge Dan Aaron Polster in the Northern District of Ohio.