OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has asked the state Supreme Court to order Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $9.3 billion to cover the entire anticipated cost of combatting the state's opioid crisis, arguing in its appeal that a lower court’s award wasn’t enough.
The company appealed Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman's order in December 2019 and the state appealed in January.
“Nothing less than the fate of Oklahoma hangs in the balance,” attorneys for the state told justices in an appeal brief.
As Oklahomans have continued to suffer and die, all eyes are now on this case,” attorneys for the state said.
“The State of Oklahoma cannot — and will never — abate this crisis unless the Judgment is affirmed.”