Supreme Court Appears Split Over Opioid Settlement for Purdue Pharma
The Supreme Court justices appear divided on a bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, which would shield the Sackler family from related lawsuits in exchange for billions of dollars to address the opioid epidemic. The U.S. Trustee Program has challenged the deal, arguing that it violates federal law by providing such comprehensive legal immunity to the Sacklers. The court’s decision could impact similar agreements resolved through bankruptcy that have been structured to protect a third party from liability. The court’s ruling will likely suspend payments to plaintiffs until it is released, which may not be until June. Demonstrations outside the courtroom called for the justices to reject the bankruptcy deal, criticizing it for not holding the Sacklers accountable properly.
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