Structure Proposed For Opioid Crisis Settlement

Structure Proposed For Opioid Crisis Settlement

Introduction

On June 17, plaintiffs filed a motion seeking certification for a negotiation class, a new structure that will be representing all 24,500 cities and counties in the United States as part of an opioid settlement.

As per the attorneys representing cities and counties nationwide, the new structure may help settle thousands of claims against manufacturers and distributors, which would bring much-needed relief to every community in the U.S. According to the proposed plan, any community can opt out, and those who remain can vote on any potential settlements, with a required percentage of 75% for the claims to go to the judge overseeing the claims. The opioid settlement fund would be divided based on three factors: the extent of opioid sales in a given area, an area’s overdose deaths, and opioid-addicted residents.

U.S. District Judge Dan Polster is presiding over more than 1,900 lawsuits filed under MDL No. 2804 (In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation) by U.S. cities and counties, each seeking damages for costs associated with addiction and abuse.