Oklahoma judge reduces J&J order in opioid lawsuit by $107M
The state of Oklahoma will be getting $107 million less than expected from the historic opioid trial, Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman ruled today.
Balkman issued a 43-page final order in the massive case, which defendant Johnson & Johnson has vowed to appeal. Balkman found the drugmaker responsible for a public nuisance in connection with its role in fueling the state’s opioid crisis and ordered it to pay $572 million – now $465 million.
Balkman reduced the judgement after realizing he had made a math error in the amounts the company was ordered to pay to remediate the opioid crisis in Oklahoma.
The reduced judgement wasn’t the only thing in the order. Balkman denied Johnson & Johnson’s request to further lower the award and appeared to rule out the possibility, which the state sought, of returning annually for additional money from the company.
Attorney General Mike Hunter has said the award from the trial will make a big difference in combating opioid abuse.
"We're going to be able in a very comprehensive way to provide relief for any family, for any individual who needs help dealing with an addiction related to prescription opioids,” he said.
When asked to comment on today’s order, Hunter’s office said he would comment when he had “thoroughly and thoughtfully” reviewed it.