Oklahoma Judge Holds J&J Liable in Opioid Epidemic, Orders $572 Million Damages

Oklahoma Judge Holds J&J Liable in Opioid Epidemic, Orders $572 Million Damages
The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, on May 29, 2019. Brendan McDermid/Reuters
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An Oklahoma judge on Aug. 26 found Johnson & Johnson liable for fueling an opioid epidemic in the state by deceptively marketing painkillers, and ordered the drugmaker to pay damages of $572 million.

Judge Thad Balkman of Cleveland County District Court in Norman, Oklahoma delivered his decision in a lawsuit alleging that J&J’s marketing practices fueled the opioid epidemic by flooding the market with painkillers.