San Mateo County has announced a legal outcome in its case against opioid manufacturers. The county, based in Redwood City, was among the first government entities to file lawsuits against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma. This action was part of a broader national effort to address opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
The legal process intensified when Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019. During bankruptcy proceedings, the Sackler family requested immunity from future opioid-related lawsuits. San Mateo County and other plaintiffs opposed this request. In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a proposed settlement that would have granted such immunity. This decision allowed further negotiations to continue.
A final settlement was reached in January 2025. The agreement totals $7.4 billion and includes the Sacklers, Purdue Pharma, states, and counties. San Mateo County will receive an estimated $3.3 million from the Sacklers over several years and about $1.5 million from the Purdue bankruptcy estate. The county’s total current and projected opioid settlement funding is about $49 million…