The following lawsuits were announced or filed since Nov. 13 by counties, states, hospitals and one city. The suits seek to recover funds spent addressing widespread illicit opioid use in each community.
Plaintiffs named in the suits include drugmakers and drug distributors.
The lawsuits are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. 2 Iowa counties join opioid lawsuit against drugmakers
Monroe and Sioux counties of Iowa have signed on to a lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 100 counties across eight states against five drugmakers and their subsidiaries for the companies' alleged role in facilitating the opioid epidemic.
2. Nevada county to file opioid lawsuit against drug companies
Clark County, Nev., commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 5 to pursue an opioid epidemic lawsuit against major pharmaceutical companies.
3. Montana files opioid lawsuit against Purdue Pharma
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox on Nov. 30 filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, alleging the drugmaker engaged in a deceptive opioid marketing campaign that contributed to rising rates of opioid overdoses in the state.
4. Mississippi, Alabama hospitals file opioid lawsuit against drugmakers
Attorneys representing one Mississippi hospital and two Alabama hospitals filed a lawsuit Nov. 30 against several drugmakers, alleging the companies engaged in deceptive marketing campaigns to promote the use of opioids to treat chronic pain.
5. Minnesota counties, cities join national surge of opioid epidemic lawsuits
County board commissioners from at least six Minnesota counties have authorized attorneys to enter agreements with private law firms to either file a lawsuit or consider litigation against drugmakers and distributors to recoup expenses related to the public cost of responding to the opioid epidemic.
6. Indianapolis files opioid epidemic lawsuit against drugmakers, drug distributors
The City of Indianapolis on Nov. 14 filed a federal lawsuit against multiple drugmakers and drug distributors for their alleged role in facilitating widespread opioid use in the city and Marion County.
7. Salt Lake County to sue drugmakers over opioid epidemic
Salt Lake County officials on Nov. 13 shared plans to file suit against multiple drugmakers for their alleged roles in Utah's opioid epidemic.