Another Opioid Bellwether Delayed For COVID-19

Law360 (December 7, 2020, 5:32 PM EST) -- An Ohio federal judge on Friday moved the May 2021 trial date for a bellwether case brought by two Ohio counties against pharmacies in the opioid multidistrict litigation to October 2021 due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. District Judge Dan A. Polster notified the parties of a letter sent by Special Master David Cohen that in light of the worsening statistics on the on-going pandemic, the court has become more and more worried that the May date for a jury trial will not be feasible. According to recent reports, the COVID-19 pandemic will likely have its practical end early in the third quarter of 2021, according to the letter, so delaying the trial by a month or two may not be enough.