Lawrence County Commissioners agreed on a settlement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to address the ongoing opioid epidemic in the county that has claimed several lives.
One of the commissioners of the county informed that state attorney generals of different states are in negotiation talks to decide on a potential nationwide opioid settlement.
As per the estimates, the settlement would be worth as much as $26 billion of which, Pennsylvania is expected to receive $1 billion. Lawrence County will receive $6.8 million from the settlement amount over the next 15-18 years. The settlement amount would be available as early as August or September 2022 as soon as it gets resolved.
Previously board of commissioners filed an independent opioid lawsuit hoping that the county could get more settlement amount, but now one of the commissioners believes that accepting this settlement will be the best option for the county.
As per the agreement, the settlement amount would go to a trust which would be overseen by a 13-person board that will include a County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania's representative.
Commissioners even explained that the money could be used to conduct awareness programs for opioid-affected people and prevent future opioid addictions. The settlement would also covet the losses faced by the county till the date because of the opioid crisis.
The agreement even requires signs from over 10,000 residents from any municipality to get it completely approved and get a full settlement amount of $6.8 million.
