Selling Opioids Is Not A Public Nuisance For Three Reasons, Oklahoma State Appeals Court Rules

Overturning a $465m verdict against J&J, Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects claim opioid sales violated a public right. It says a manufacturer does not have control of its product once it is sold and cannot be held perpetually liable for its products.

Oklahoma opioid suit — Oklahoma Supreme Court overturns ruling against J&J in opioid litigation • Source: Alamy

Opioid manufacturers gained ground in a massive legal battle as a second court rejected claims that marketing of pain medications constitutes a public nuisance. The ruling may help opioid makers reach long-sought global settlements to resolve thousands of suits.

In a 9 November ruling, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma reversed a district court judgement that...