Co-lead counsels, including Simmons Hanly Conroy Shareholder Jayne Conroy, continue trial against manufacturers Allergan, Teva and Endo and distributor Anda
Alton, Illinois – Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest mass torts firms, is pleased to announce a $1.1 Billion settlement with AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson as part of the ongoing consolidated opioid litigation in New York State. Simmons Hanly Conroy is currently representing Suffolk County in the ongoing trial, which is in its sixth week. The trial continues with manufacturers Allergan, Teva and Endo and distributor Anda as the defendants.
The settlement was announced on July 20, 2021 by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and provided the catalyst for the announcement of the global settlement with the same distributors in the federal MDL just two days later. On July 27, the Suffolk County Legislature voted unanimously to approve the deal, which will total up to $106.3 million in funding recovered for the county.
“Suffolk County is pleased to see the three major opioid distributors be held accountable for their part in creating this crisis,” said Jayne Conroy, lead counsel for Suffolk County and co-lead counsel in the national prescription opioid MDL. “This agreement will ensure that vital resources are recovered as quickly as possible so that they can be used in communities like Suffolk County that have been hit hard by the opioid crisis. While no amount of money can bring back those we have lost, this agreement will help prevent future tragedies from occurring and make this community stronger and safer by funding desperately needed abatement programs. Our focus remains on the ongoing trial against the remaining defendants and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
Once the deal is confirmed by New York State subdivisions, disbursements of funds will start within two months and continue for the next 17 years. The $1.1 billion amount will be paid through a guaranteed base payment with additional incentive payments paid in greater amounts based on the number of subdivisions who release current and future litigation against these defendants.
This New York State agreement was negotiated alongside the global settlement with the Big Three distributors. If the global settlement deal is agreed to before July 1, 2022, New York State will join the global settlement and these terms will be added into the global deal.
