J&J, Mallinckrodt Settle Ohio Counties’ Opioid Claims on Eve of Trial

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $10 million on the eve of the first bellwether trial in the federal opioid multidistrict litigation, resolving two Ohio counties’ claims that it grossly misrepresented the risks of long-term use of its powerful painkillers for persons with chronic pain.

According to an Oct. 1 press release, J&J has also agreed to reimburse $5 million of the Cuyahoga and Summit (Ohio) counties’ legal and other expenses incurred in preparation for the trial. In addition, the company says it will direct $5.4 million of its charitable contributions to non-profit organizations in …