U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
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Judge rules in favor of opioid distributors in Huntington, Cabell cases
CHARLESTON – After more than 11 months, a federal judge has ruled in favor of three drug distribution companies, saying their actions did not cause the opioid epidemic in Huntington and Cabell County. -
Final two distributors provide closing arguments as federal opioid trial wraps
CHARLESTON – Attorneys for Cardinal Health and McKesson presented closing arguments in hope of convincing U.S. District Judge David Faber the distribution companies should not be held liable for any part in the opioid epidemic. -
Plaintiffs, one distributor make their case as closing arguments at federal opioid trial begin
CHARLESTON – After a two-week break, plaintiff attorney Paul Farrell Jr. left no stone unturned as he presented the closing argument at the landmark federal opioid trial. -
Defense argues Cabell, Huntington treatment programs are covered; no additional funds needed
CHARLESTON – During the last day of testimony in the landmark opioid trial, the defense’s argument shifted to Cabell County and the City of Huntington’s ability to effectively cover treatment programs through federal government grants and that the governments should be able to continue to do so. -
Defense expert says plaintiff experts 'threw aside' valuable information in analysis
CHARLESTON – An economist expert claims Cardinal Health had a due diligence system in place that was followed as designed, arguing earlier experts failed to note the system in place. -
Pain doctor shows legislative impact on opioid epidemic, then has reputation questioned
CHARLESTON – Tables turned as an expert witness for Cardinal Health had his professional reputation challenged during his testimony at the bellwether federal opioid trial. -
Drug distributors continue to push blame on doctors, strengthen gateway definition
CHARLESTON – As they began arguing their case, the three drug distributor defendants in the bellwether federal trial continued to rest blame on others for fueling the opioid epidemic. -
Drug distributors slam plaintiff’s causation and misconduct argument
CHARLESTON – Three of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distribution companies pushed for a trial dismissal as the plaintiffs wrapped up their case at the bellwether federal opioid trial. -
Expert economist says opioid abatement plan would cost $2.5 billion
CHARLESTON – An abatement expert says the total cost for such a plan for Cabell County and Huntington to deal with the opioid epidemic would be at least $2.5 billion. -
Expert says Huntington/Cabell need more sufficient, longstanding treatment programs
CHARLESTON – Testifying in the bellwether opioid trial, a expert witness on pharmaceutical-related abatement programs said he does not believe Cabell County has sufficient treatment programs to fight the opioid epidemic. -
Former Huntington police chief holds back tears during testimony
CHARLESTON – Testifying in the bellwether federal opioid trial, Huntington's former chief of police shared the pain he felt as watching his community be taken over by addiction. -
Child welfare expert discusses needs for Opioid Use Disorder exposed children
CHARLESTON – At the federal trial against three major opioid distributors, a child welfare expert showed the impact of Opioid Use Disorder on children and the rising need – and lack – of proper resources. -
Data shows Cabell County had some of nation’s top opioid prescribers
CHARLESTON – Tension remained high in the courtroom of the landmark federal opioid trial as plaintiffs and defendants argued expert witness reports and testimonies. -
Defense blames doctor’s overprescribing, tries to discredit expert witness report
CHARLESTON – As the landmark federal opioid trial entered its sixth week, tensions rose as defendants spent the day trying to discredit a report by a substance use disorder epidemiologist. -
Expert data shows Cabell County outweighed West Virginia, nation in prescription opioid abuse and harm
CHARLESTON – As the landmark federal opioid trial concluded its fifth week, an opioid abuse epidemiologist shared data connecting causation between prescription opioids and opioid use disorder. -
Overdose data shows growing trends of opioid-related drug poisonings
CHARLESTON – An expert epidemiologist who analyzed Cabell County and West Virginia overdose data to show opioid trends in death rates soared from 2001 to 2017. -
Drug distributors, former DEA official point fingers everywhere at opioid trial
CHARLESTON — Fingers were pointed and blame was thrown all around a federal courtroom as a retired Drug Enforcement Administration official and attorneys for three drug distributors butted heads for a second full day of testimony. -
Rannazzisi's testimony repeatedly challenged, questioned and stifled
CHARLESTON – A key former Drug Enforcement Administration official spent the day on the witness stand giving testimony between objections, legal limitations and frustrations. -
Rannazzisi testimony tries to shift blame away from DEA
CHARLESTON – A key former Drug Enforcement Administration officials took the stand in the landmark federal opioid trial, opening his testimony by saying drug distribution centers were well-equipped to prevent diversion. -
Drug companies grill addiction science director about funding numbers, program timelines
CHARLESTON – As the landmark federal opioid trial concluded its fourth week, attorneys for Cardinal Health probed an addiction science professor from Marshall University about recovery programs and estimated costs.