Baltimore judge proposes slashing city’s award in opioid verdict

Baltimore judge proposes slashing city’s award in opioid verdict

A Baltimore judge on Thursday proposed slashing the $266 million verdict that the city won last year from a pair of drug distributors accused of contributing to the deadly opioid crisis, suggesting the companies pay just under $52 million or receive a new trial to determine damages.

Judge: Opioid restitution settlement to Baltimore was too high

Baltimore may not get as much money in opioid restitution after a judge ruled Thursday that the jury’s award to the city was too high. Six years ago, the city declined to join a global settlement with other jurisdictions and instead opted to sue the companies on its own, filing “Mayor and City Council of Baltimore v. Purdue Pharma LP.” A Baltimore jury in November 2024 found two drug distributors liable for contributing to the city’s ongoing opi…