An opioid trial in Georgia state court against drug distributors brought by the families affected by opioid addiction has been delayed due to a lawyer conflict.
Most of the opioid trials against the companies allege that the public nuisance of the companies' opioid activities caused the opioid crisis, which has harmed communities. But the current trial stands out as it is brought against the company by 21 private plaintiffs who are mostly minors.
The complaint states that the companies were aware of the huge amount of opioids being distributed in the county for profits from the illegal drug market. The defendant companies in the lawsuit are Cardinal Health, McKesson, pharmacies and other related groups. The plaintiffs include children, spouses, siblings and parents of opioid-addicted people along with people seeking compensation due to opioid harm. The dealers of illegal drugs are held responsible in the suit under the Georgia Drug Dealer Liability Act.
The plaintiffs' attorney said that it is the first case of such kind that falls under the drug dealer law. The attorney even stated that it is uncertain to tell when the trial might start.
The trial of the suit was slated to start on March 21 but has got postponed. Another opioid trial by the state of Rhode Island ended in a $100 million settlement to be paid by the drug distributors and manufacturers.
