The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that three of the largest pharmacy chain operators in the U.S. could not be held liable under a state nuisance law for contributing to the long-running opioid crisis.
In a 5-to-2 vote, the court determined that the law barred two Ohio counties from obtaining a $650.9 million judgement that was won in a federal court against CVS Health, Walgreens, and Walmart. In explaining the decision, the court maintained that a state product liability law, which had been amended in 2007, superseded the nuisance claims.
“We recognize that the opioid crisis has touched the lives of people in every corner of Ohio. The devastation experienced by these private citizens, individually and collectively, undoubtedly has far-reaching consequences for their communities and for the state as a whole,” Justice Joseph Deters wrote for the majority.
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