State, Johnson & Johnson both appealing opioid abatement order

Attorney General Mike Hunter

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The state of Oklahoma is appealing a judge’s order for Johnson & Johnson to pay $465 million to address the state’s opioid crisis.

Attorney General Mike Hunter’s office filed its appeal on Monday, arguing that the award is only enough to pay for one year of the state’s abatement plan.

Johnson & Johnson also is appealing the judge’s order, maintaining the award should be reduced by $355 million to offset pretrial settlements reached with other drugmakers.

During the trial, state experts testified it would cost about $17.5 billion over 30 years to abate the state’s opioid crisis.