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.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on May 25 announced to the Kanawha Circuit Court the state had reached a tentative $161.5 million settlement with opioid suppliers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan, accused of causing an epidemic.
CHARLESTON – Attorneys defending drug suppliers accused of creating an opioid epidemic in West Virginia sought to poke holes in the earlier testimony of an analyst called as an expert witness by the state whose numbers showed a dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions from the years 2007 to 2017.
CHARLESTON – An analytics analyst in a trial accusing suppliers of causing an opioid epidemic said the amount of prescriptions for pills in West Virginia increased dramatically between 1997 and 2017, with 2011 being the peak year.
CHARLESTON – On the second day of a trial accusing opioid manufacturers of causing an drug epidemic in West Virginia, plaintiff attorneys sought to undercut a central defense contention – that prescription drugs are safe and effective in dealing with pain.
CHARLESTON – The nation’s three largest drug distributors has filed a petition with the state Supreme Court questioning whether the state Mass Litigation Panel exceeded its authority by grouping more than 60 public nuisances opioid claims into one statewide complaint.
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.
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.
CHARLESTON – While a bipartisan group of state attorneys general have announced a tentative $26 billion settlement with four drug companies over their roles in the opioid epidemic, West Virginia will not be a part of the agreement.
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.
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.
CHARLESTON – Tables turned as an expert witness for Cardinal Health had his professional reputation challenged during his testimony at the bellwether federal opioid trial.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHARLESTON – Tension remained high in the courtroom of the landmark federal opioid trial as plaintiffs and defendants argued expert witness reports and testimonies.
