HARRISBURG, PA — In a pivotal turn of events, the Commonwealth Court has ruled in favor of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in the lawsuits instigated by the Philadelphia and Allegheny County District Attorneys against national opioid manufacturers. The court’s decision, issued on Friday, grants Attorney General Michelle Henry the authority to supersede the District Attorneys’ claims and control the litigation as the state’s “chief law officer.”
This ruling is a significant milestone in Pennsylvania’s fight against the opioid crisis. It asserts that the independent lawsuits filed by the two District Attorneys cannot proceed independently, reinforcing the unity of legal action against opioid manufacturers.
The court’s decision also upholds the terms of the multi-billion dollar opioid settlements led by the Office of Attorney General and agreed upon by all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Philadelphia. The collective agreement could bring up to $1.07 billion to the state if all counties and other litigating governmental entities participate.
“The Office of Attorney General is pleased with the Court’s decision,” Attorney General Henry stated. “This decision moves Pennsylvania closer to receiving that entire amount.”
She further emphasized the strategic advantage of her office’s position in handling such broad civil public protection claims. As the chief law enforcement officer for the Commonwealth, the Attorney General’s superseding authority is seen as best equipped to represent the public interest across Pennsylvania.
The court’s ruling highlights the importance of unified efforts in holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis. The Attorney General praised the efforts, experience, and expertise of the attorneys in her office who handled the opioid settlement, highlighting the benefits of Pennsylvania’s counties working together to help communities repair and rebuild from the devastation caused by lethally-addictive opiates.
While the legal battle was underway, the Office of Attorney General continued its work to secure millions of dollars for Pennsylvania municipalities. These funds will enhance resources for people in recovery, finance life-saving medications, improve care networks for families who have lost a loved one to addiction, and help eliminate the stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help.
According to the Attorney General, the court’s decision underscores the potential power of coordinated legal action in addressing public health crises. As the state moves closer to securing significant financial resources, the ruling offers a ray of hope for communities across Pennsylvania grappling with the fallout from the opioid crisis.
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