J&J Appeals On Oklahoma Judge's $572M Order

J&J Appeals On Oklahoma Judge's $572M Order

Introduction

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday over an Oklahoma judge's $572 million order against the company and its subsidiaries for fueling the state's opioid crisis.

Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman ordered the company to pay $572 million last month to cover up the damages caused by opioid in the state, which the attorneys for the company believed was grossly inflated.

The Consumer products giant argued the ruling as an "unprecedented interpretation of Oklahoma public nuisance law." The appeal further stated that the novel ruling has immense public-policy implications, undermining product-liability law rules, which have always governed disputes over the marketing and sales of goods and threatening wide-ranging liability for companies that do business in Oklahoma. A spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter said their office is reviewing the appeal.

Oxycontin-maker Purdue Pharma and Israeli-owned Teva Pharmaceuticals reached settlements worth $355 million with Oklahoma state before the trial began.