Mayor Scott Statement on Jury Verdict in City's Lawsuit Against Opioid Distributors

BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, November 12, 2024) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott released the following statement on the jury's verdict against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, finding them liable in Baltimore's opioid epidemic and awarding the City of Baltimore more than $266 million in damages.

"The opioid overdose epidemic has taken a toll on every community in this country, but in Baltimore, it has touched every resident in some way and devastated whole families and whole neighborhoods. Today, a jury agreed that the outsized impact on our city was a direct result of the actions of big pharma. I am grateful to the jury for their careful deliberation, which has validated our claim against these bad actors, and sent a message that indifference for the lives of our residents will not be tolerated.

"This more than $266 million award brings our total restitution funds to more than $668.5 million, a game-changing figure that will reshape our ability to confront this crisis in every part of our city. We will put these funds to work to save lives and build a healthier Baltimore through the framework outlined in my Executive Order on Opioid Restitution Funds.

"We know that the work on these cases is not over, as we prepare for additional abatement proceedings in December. But today's verdict brings us one step closer to addressing the harm inflicted on our community, honoring the lives of the loved ones we lost, and seeking justice and healing for our residents who have endured heartbreak throughout this epidemic.

"I want to thank our City Solicitor Ebony Thompson, her affirmative litigation team, and our outside counsel partners at Susman Godfrey for their fearless and tireless work fighting these cases on behalf of our residents."

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