As states weigh their options, the history of past settlements will be a factor. One state signed onto the settlement with the distributors but opted out of the deal with J&J, netting it millions more, and with faster payment, than it would have received under the national settlement.

Judge’s dismissal of all claims against opioid makers offers hope they can win other cases and may push forward settlements. But it is ‘bookend’ by the Oklahoma case that reached a dramatically divergent conclusion, so while significant, it is only a single data point, Stanford law professor says.

Purdue pleads guilty to three felony charges over marketing of OxyContin under settlement that requires Purdue to be dissolved and transformed into an entity that provides addiction and overdose medicines. Twenty-five state AGs oppose creation of a PBC, arguing Purdue should be sold to another company.