The Indiana County Commissioners this morning have decided to enter into a lawsuit consortium against several drug manufacturers and distributors concerning the opioid epidemic.
As part of today’s meeting, several entities came forward to discuss how much the opioid epidemic has cost the county, not just in dollars and cents, but in human lives. The commissioners have retained Marcus and Mack to be their local legal liaison in this consortium of municipalities, and have retained six other law firms from across the United States to be a part of what is called a Mass Tort. Archie Lamb, a counselor with Levin, Papantonino, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty and Proctor said the cases are in the early phases right now, but a hearing will be held by the end of the month to accelerate the process.
County Commissioners Chairman Mike Baker said that recovering some of the cost of the battle against opioids has become a primary issue for the county and other communities.
The legal services agreement has a clause in that the county will pay no fee to any firm unless there is no recovery for Indiana County.
