Law

(Reuters) - State attorneys general on Wednesday unveiled a $26 billion settlement with the three largest U.S. drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson to resolve thousands of lawsuits by states and local governments over the companies' role in the country's opioid painkiller crisis.

Ohio is one of several states that will share $26 billion dollars as part of a national opioid abuse settlement.

Ohio and other states reached a $26 billion settlement with the three largest drug distributors as well as manufacturer Johnson & Johnson that is expected surge cash into opioid treatment and prevention programs.

Lt. Zakariya Reed with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department says the number of deaths grew drastically during the pandemic.

Vaccine requirement could lead to unrepresentative jury, companies say Bellwether trial on pharmacies' liability set for October

Law360 (June 23, 2021, 3:34 PM EDT) -- An Ohio federal judge said on Wednesday he wouldn't automatically throw out potential jurors in the national multidistrict opioid litigation because they are unvaccinated against COVID-19, undoing an earlier order requiring juror vaccinations.

Ohio will receive $24.7 million as part of a $573 million settlement against a firm that promoted the sales of prescription painkillers, helping to fuel an opioid epidemic in Ohio and nationally that’s led to rising overdose deaths and increasing government costs to address addiction issues.

Law360 (May 28, 2021, 9:18 PM EDT) -- With the coronavirus crisis cooling down, a pressure cooker of opioid litigation is heating up with long-awaited trials across the country.