Publication Source Archive: Law360

The New York attorney general and two Long Island counties will take their suit over the deadly opioid crisis before a jury in January in what could be the second state trial over the epidemic. “Nassau County is excited for their day in court and they look forward to having these defendants in court starting…Read the article

Four attorneys general on Monday unveiled a proposed $48 billion deal with major drug companies — Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson and the nation’s largest drug distributors — to resolve a wave of opioid-crisis lawsuits. Hunter J. Shkolnik of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, a top plaintiffs attorney in the MDL, added in an interview late Monday…Read the article

A rapid outburst of opposition to a $48 billion “settlement framework” in opioid-crisis litigation unveiled Monday by four state attorneys general may signal a shift to local governments and states fighting not only with drug companies but also with each other. The backlash from plaintiffs lawyers in the opioid multidistrict litigation and at least one…Read the article

The Sixth Circuit on Thursday rejected eleventh-hour bids by the Ohio attorney general and drug companies to block an upcoming bellwether trial in multidistrict litigation accusing drugmakers of fueling the opioid crisis, rejecting the state’s arguments that the counties in the case are usurping its authority. “Cuyahoga County is very pleased to see that both writs…Read the article

A Michigan federal judge refused to let the federal government go to the Sixth Circuit to argue it had immunity from claims brought by thousands of residents of Flint, Michigan, seeking roughly $4.5 billion over allegations that the government acted negligently during the city’s lead in the water crisis.  Read the article

The New York Attorney General’s Office said Friday it has uncovered roughly $1 billion in wire transfers by the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, that appear to be an attempt by the family to shield part of its fortune as it defended itself against a myriad of lawsuits alleging it fueled the opioid crisis.…Read the article

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was hit with a $40 million lawsuit Wednesday alleging the insurer improperly slashed its reimbursement rates for substance abuse treatment facilities, choosing to line its own pockets instead of covering the claims even as the state faced a “worsening opioid epidemic.” Matthew M. Lavin, an attorney for the facilities,…Read the article

A California federal judge has tentatively approved an increased $395,000 settlement in a class action alleging Uber denied drivers their fair share of riders’ payments, saying the deal is still on the low end, but fair. The revamped deal made three notable changes, according to Judge Alsup. Each class member will receive at least $20…Read the article

The Sackler family members who control Purdue Pharma LP can’t avoid claims they were complicit in alleged company conduct that gave rise to the nationwide opioid epidemic, a New York judge has ruled, finding they must face multidistrict litigation in the state. Salvatore C. Badala of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, also representing the plaintiffs, said his…Read the article

In March, Judge Polster ruled that BakerHoestetler couldn’t represent Endo in the bellwether cases brought by the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, finding that this nonpublic information “may go to the heart of plaintiffs’ damages claims” and if used “could materially prejudice Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.” “BakerHostetler and Ms. Rendon are unhappy that Judge…Read the article