Robbins Geller Tapped to Represent Montgomery County, Maryland in Opioid Litigation

On December 13, 2017, The Washington Times published an article announcing Montgomery County’s retention of Robbins Geller to represent the County in litigation against Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors whose unlawful sales practices have caused the opioid epidemic now facing Montgomery County and the country at large.

“I wish I could tell you that Montgomery County is immune from this epidemic. Unfortunately, I cannot do that,” Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett said during the December 12, 2017 press conference announcing the County’s retention of the Firm. “Death, addiction, broken families, broken lives – we are living this reality each and every day.”

According to The Washington Times, the Montgomery County Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight conducted a study this summer, finding that the County has had “sharp increases” in drug-related deaths in recent years. Raymond Crowel, Chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services for the County’s health department, stated that 84 county residents died of opioid-related causes in 2016. According to the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, “there were 1,856 opioid-related deaths in 2016, a 70 percent increase over 2015.”

“Our investigation has revealed that manufacturers intentionally misled prescribers, patients and the public regarding the appropriate uses, risks, safety and efficacy of prescription opioids,” Robbins Geller attorney Aelish Baig told The Washington Times, adding that the investigation is nearing completion and a complaint will be filed in January.

Robbins Geller attorneys Paul Geller, Mark Dearman, Aelish Baig, and Thomas Egler are leading the Firm’s litigation efforts on behalf of clients around the country.

To read The Washington Times article, please click here.