Susman Godfrey has secured a $266 million verdict on behalf of the City of Baltimore against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen in the City’s nearly seven-year lawsuit against the opioid distributors and manufacturers that fueled the worst opioid epidemic in the nation. The jury verdict, issued November 12, is the only successful verdict any jurisdiction has obtained in opioid litigation against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen.
Following the verdict, Baltimore — which forged its own path by bringing in the Susman Godfrey team and proceeding outstide the MDL litigation — has officially brought in a total of $668.5 million in settlements and damages. This includes $402.5 million in settlements after the City declined to participate in the global settlements most cities, counties, and states pursued. Baltimore also settled with Johnson & Johnson, with terms undisclosed.
Far beyond this multimillion-dollar verdict, the jury also determined that McKesson and AmerisourceBergen are collectively responsible for 97% of the costs of the nuisance. The City is now seeking $11 billion in abatement costs, which it will try before the judge on December 11.
The Susman Godfrey trial team was led by partners Bill Carmody, Seth Ard, Sy Polky, and Michael Kelso. They were joined by partners Adam Carlis, Cory Buland, Geng Chen, Rocco Magni, Krisina Zuñiga, of counsel Tom Boardman and associates Max Straus, Katherine Drews and Jeff Melsheimer.
Read the City of Baltimore’s press release here, which includes more details on the case or click here to read more about Susman Godfrey’s recent settlements on behalf of Baltimore with Allergan, CVS and Cardinal Health. Or click here to read more on Law360 (subscription required).
