The Daily Opioid Victims Have a Settlement. Will the Supreme Court Undo It?
12 snips
Dec 6, 2023 Abbie VanSickle, a Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times, joins to dissect the controversial Purdue Pharma settlement amidst the opioid crisis. She breaks down the implications of the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling and how it could affect victims seeking justice. The discussion highlights the ethical dilemma of granting immunity to the Sackler family while addressing widespread public health devastation. VanSickle provides insights into the legal complexities and the emotional toll on families impacted by the opioid epidemic.
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Sackler Family Actions
- Purdue Pharma faced lawsuits claiming OxyContin's addictive nature led to deaths.
- An audit revealed the Sackler family moved $11 billion out of Purdue as the crisis worsened.
The Settlement Deal
- Victims could settle claims against Purdue and the Sacklers in exchange for immunity for the Sacklers.
- The Sacklers offered part of their fortune, up to $6 billion, to a victim fund.
Government Intervention
- The federal government and the Department of Justice opposed the settlement deal.
- They argued this deal wasn't in the public interest and stretched the bankruptcy code too far.