Johnson & Johnson appealing $572 million order in opioid case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson is appealing an Oklahoma judge’s $572 million order against the company and its subsidiaries for helping fuel the state’s opioid crisis.

The company filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday, arguing the ruling was an improper use of Oklahoma public nuisance law.

In his ruling last month, Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman ordered the company to pay $572 million to help address the damage from the opioid crisis.