Judge tosses $4.5 bln deal shielding Purdue's Sackler family from opioid claims

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NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - A federal judge has thrown out a $4.5 billion settlement that would have shielded the Sackler family, which owned OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, from future lawsuits over opioids, upending the company's plan to reorganize in bankruptcy court.

U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon in Manhattan said in a written ruling on Thursday the bankruptcy court did not have the legal authority to release the family from liability. She noted the ruling was likely to be appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Purdue and lawyers for the Sacklers could not immediately be reached for comment.

The company has been accused of pushing massive amounts of its OxyContin pain drug on patients, while underplaying its potential for addiction and abuse, which it has denied. It filed for bankruptcy in 2019, facing a slew of legal claims over the drug.

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1. Court ruled that the releases granted to members of the Sackler family lack statutory authority

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[Takket]

2. GOOD!!!!!!!!

They don't deserve to walk away with a penny, let alone still filthy rich, for the blood money their crimes brought them.

[Tickle]

3. Bastard

I’m a part of the lawsuit along with a couple of hundred thousand others (I assume) I hope they rot in hell