Oklahoma County joining lawsuit against opioid manufacturers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma County has joined over 50 other cities and counties in the state to prosecute drug companies for damages caused by the opioid epidemic.
The Oklahoman reports that all three county commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a contract with the Fulmer Sill law firm to sue opioid manufacturers.
The decision comes at the end of the state’s trial against consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson, which alleges that the company and its subsidiaries created a public nuisance by aggressively promoting the highly addictive drugs. Oklahoma could receive up to $17.5 billion in abatement costs.
Commissioner Kevin Calvey says that the opioid crisis has increased the county’s costs in policing, jailing, and providing treatment services to residents.
Fulmer Sill lawyers say that they expect to pursue “tens of millions of dollars” for the county.