Business

County could get about $3.5 million from opioid lawsuits

Published

3 years ago

December 8, 2021

La Crosse County could see around $3.5 million from a nationwide class-action lawsuit against companies that have made or sold opioid medicines.

The county’s executive committee endorsed a proposed settlement Wednesday against companies such as Johnson and Johnson, for the increase in opioid addiction experienced around the U.S.

County corporation counsel Megan Devore said Wisconsin’s share of the settlement could be substantial — $3.5 million, after attorney fees and other expenses — from the $420 million Wisconsin will get in the proposed settlement.

The committee approved a resolution calling for all of the money received by the county to be spent on opioid abatement, such as programs to help fight drug addiction.

Almost every Wisconsin county and 16 cities joined in the class-action suit.

Devore said the county needs to approve the settlement by New Year’s Day.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.