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Health Care & Hospital Law,
Civil Litigation

Nov. 1, 2021

No evidence drugmakers falsely marketed opioids, judge rules

In a 42-page tentative ruling Monday, Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson said the plaintiff counties of Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Orange, and the city of Oakland failed to prove an actionable public nuisance for which the drug companies are liable.

No evidence drugmakers falsely marketed opioids, judge rules
Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson

In a ruling likely to affect thousands of opioid lawsuits filed across the nation, an Orange County judge tentatively ruled Monday against four California municipalities seeking $52 billion from opioid manufacturers they say downplayed the risk of addiction.

In the final days of the first government-initiated action in the nation seeking to hold opioid manufacturers accountable for an alleged role in creating the opioid epidemic, defense at...

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