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Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a continuance in the case.
Brunswick, GA— What would have likely been a first in-the-nation state court trial over private plaintiffs’ claims related to the opioid epidemic was continued on Monday, when jury selection was scheduled to begin. Trial in the case is now expected no earlier than the second half of 2022. Poppell, et al. v Cardinal Health Inc., et al., CE19-00472.
According to court records, more than 20 plaintiffs, many of whom are minors, claim defendants, including pharmaceutical giant McKesson Corporation, illegally distributed opioids, leading to addiction and catastrophic fallout from the drugs.
The defendants deny responsibility.
Opioid manufacturers and distributors are facing claims nationwide concerning their alleged part in the nation’s opioid epidemic. The first wave of trials has featured claims brought by state and local governments. CVN streamed the first such state court trial, in Oklahoma, and is currently streaming proceedings in an ongoing bench trial involving the State of Washington’s claims against various opioid manufacturers. Meanwhile, openings are expected to begin this week in a case brought by Rhode Island’s Attorney General against Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
However, prior to being continued, the Georgia suit was expected to be the first such case brought by private plaintiffs to go to trial.
CVN will provide additional details on the case as events warrant.
Email Arlin Crisco at acrisco@cvn.com.
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