Jennings County Commissioners have filed a lawsuit against the opioid manufacturers and distributors. The officials are seeking damages for the county for the ongoing opioid crisis. The commissioners say that manufacturers are liable for part of the problem which they say has “devastated Jennings County residents and placed a heavy burden on emergency response, social services, and other resources.” The lawsuit seeks to recover funds to address the overwhelming financial burden that the opioid crisis has placed on the county.

The manufacturer defendants are Purdue Pharma, Cephalon, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Noramco, Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Mallinckrodt PLC, Allergan PLC, and Watson Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuit alleges that these manufacturers deceptively marketed the appropriate uses, risks, and safety of opioids.

The opioid distributor defendants are AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., and McKesson Corporation. The lawsuit alleges that these distributors failed in their duty to report and stop suspicious orders of opioids that flooded Jennings County.

The lawsuit alleges conspiracy among the manufacturers and distributors of opioids and seeks monetary damages, as well as reimbursement to the county for expenses related to fighting the opioid epidemic. In addition, the suit is seeking an “abatement fund” to help fight the opioid epidemic. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. Federal Court.

“Jennings County took an important step today in the battle against the opioid crisis,” said Matt Sporleder, President of the Jennings County Commissioners. “It’s time for those responsible for this crisis to be held accountable.” Lynn Toops of law firm Cohen & Malad, LLP, says that the lawsuit is “another tool for Jennings County to use in the war on opioid addiction that’s so greatly impacting the community.”