Oklahoma Supreme Court Tosses Opioid Ruling Against J&J

The transcript discusses a 2019 ruling requiring Johnson & Johnson to pay $465 million for its role in the opioid epidemic. Oklahoma's highest court rejected the state's argument that the company violated public nuisance laws. This decision, along with a similar ruling in California, may negatively impact plaintiffs in opioid-related cases nationwide. However, the effect of these rulings is uncertain due to state-specific public nuisance laws. The opioid crisis has resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths in the US since the late 1990s, with the situation worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What challenges do plaintiffs face when trying to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for the opioid crisis?

What impact has opioid abuse had on the death toll in the US since the late 1990s?