Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) made the following statement about the decision in the Oklahoma opioid trial:

“Today’s decision is based on questionable legal claims from an ill-conceived lawsuit that will do little to solve Oklahoma’s opioid crisis.”

“Oklahoma’s case hinged on the specious legal claim of public nuisance meant to address property disputes, not large-scale policy issues.”

“No one denies the magnitude of the opioid problem in Oklahoma, but letting private lawyers distort the scarcely-used public nuisance theory in hopes of getting a massive settlement isn’t the solution.” 

“Oklahoma’s appellate courts must correct this decision. If not, almost any industry could be the target of large-scale litigation.”

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