Judge Hears Arguments in Opioid Lawsuit

For nearly two hours Thursday morning, Judge John D. McAfee heard arguments from lawyers in a hearing to dismiss a lawsuit implicating some of the largest drug manufacturers in the country for their role in the opioid epidemic.
Lawyers representing six District Attorney’s General in Tennessee argued the lawsuit they filed should move forward. Lawyers representing the drug manufacturers, including Endo and Purdue, argued the suit should be dismissed.
Bert Wolff, the attorney representing the drug manufacturers, argued the plaintiffs do not have the legal standing to bring the lawsuit under the Drug Dealer Liability Act.
Gerard Stranch, the attorney representing the District Attorney’s General, argued the drug manufacturers knowingly pushed addictive medication on the public and should be held responsible for the opioid epidemic and the deaths that have occurred because of the drugs.
While the plaintiffs argue the drug manufacturers fail to control where the drugs go once they are passed along to distributors, the defendants say they hold no liability for the hands the drugs may end up in.
Any money awarded would be given to the State of Tennessee to use at its discretion. It will not go to any individual people.
Judge McAfee is set to issue an order on Friday to decide whether the suit will go forward. The District Attorney’s General hope this case will eventually go to a jury trial.