“If there is a settlement, and the division of settlement funds is determined, there will be a split between state governments and other local governments and we feel having our interest represented will be beneficial to our group as whole,” Clemmons said.
“So there will be some decisions made and we want to have the strongest voice we can have in that settlement and/or division of settlement proceeds.”
The December 2017-filed lawsuit alleges manufacturers of prescription opioids “grossly misrepresented” the risks of long-term use of the prescribed drugs for people with chronic pain. It also claims distributors “failed to properly monitor suspicious orders” of prescriptions which the plaintiffs claim contributed to the opioid epidemic.
Ohio Northern District Court Judge Dan Polster is presiding over the lawsuit.
The city of Hamilton and Butler County Board of Commissioners have already joined the class-action suit.
Clemmons said Fairfield’s attorneys representing the city in the suit are preparing documents to request joining the multi-district litigation.
While financial relief is being sought, Clemmons said the resolution is designed to abate a public nuisance.
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