Johnson & Johnson lost an August2019 case in Oklahoma, with a judgement of around $572 million. This is likely to lead to various follow-up trials, too, with legal settlements also expected in the near future. Further settlements are expected due to the company being held accountable for its part in the U.S. drug opioid crisis.
The ruling came through and was clear that as many as 1,500 different lawsuits could be using this judgement to shape their own arguments. With legal cases against those in the opioid industry becoming more and more prevalent, this could be the start of a massive series of legal challenges. Around 2,000 local and tribal governments have started to take action against companies in the drug industry.
They argue that those who make, sell, and then distribute these drugs across the country are in some way responsible for the present crisis. With more than 400,000 people killed across the USA since 2000 due to the opioid epidemic, with 47,000 being between 2017 and 2019, it’s easy to see where the anger stems from.
Plaintiffs argue that the drugs were marketed improperly, and that companies were not doing enough to stop suspicious orders being shipped out. While Johnson & Johnson have said that the judgement is ‘flawed’, it’s still ongoing.
In 2017, a report was produced by the White House Council of Economic Advisers: they found that the crisis could have cost the USA as much as $500bn in 2015. From lost productivity to costs on taxpayers – jail treatment, ambulance costs etc. – and even childcare costs for parents no longer present due to overdose, it’s fair to say that the impact on the finances of the country have been vast.
An ongoing issue
Of course, this is not likely to be settled anytime soon. The crisis is a long-term issue and simply having lawsuits carried out will not bring an end to the issue. The judgement in Oklahoma is also likely to cause consternation due to the vats number of defendants and plaintiffs with varying interests and aims. Therefore, many state and local government offices are fighting to get control over settlement money. With confusion over what portion of Oklahoma’s proceeds will go where, there is likely going to be challenges and debates over how settlement money could be used and spent to benefit others.
There has been much debate about the crisis in the USA, but it appears that something is now being done in the legal system to try and find some kind of judgement. Even then, though, there is much work to be done to find out just how those who have suffered most from the crisis can find peace and live a normal life once again.
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