Posted on 01/08/18
County to Retain Nationally Recognized Law Firm to Pursue Action in Federal Court
(Towson) – Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced today that Baltimore County intends to file a federal lawsuit against several pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors of opioids, seeking monetary damages incurred by the County. “The opioid crisis has led to a significant increase of overdoses from heroin and prescription drug abuse,” stated Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “We believe that the pharmaceutical industry pressured and cajoled physicians into prescribing opioids for chronic pain, and vastly misrepresented the risk of addiction. The desire to increase profits on the part of drug companies is a leading cause of our nation’s health crisis, and we must fight back.”
In the first six months of 2017, Baltimore County had 187 substance-related deaths. The County has incurred expenses relating to first-responder intervention, drug and alcohol counseling programs, employee prescription expense, and loss of economic revenue to the County, among other costs.
The County expects to file its case in the federal District Court, and seek consolidation for trial with other similar cases. It is entered into a contingent fee retainer agreement with the law firm Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, LLP, subject to approval by the County Council. Robbins Geller maintains a national practice with substantial experience in whistleblower, antitrust, consumer and insurance class actions. The firm currently represents cities and counties in Michigan, Florida and Arizona in the opioid litigation. The Maryland-based law firm of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White LLC would also serve as local counsel.