Few legal battles in the annals of American jurisprudence have carried the weight and implications of Oklahoma’s landmark lawsuit against opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson. At the helm of this groundbreaking case was Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, whose unwavering commitment to justice set a new precedent in holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.
Upon assuming the role of attorney general in 2017, Hunter quickly identified the opioid epidemic as a critical issue facing Oklahoma. Recognizing the devastating impact of opioid addiction on families and communities across the state, he took decisive action.
In a bold move, Hunter filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, seeking to hold the pharmaceutical giant accountable for its role in fueling the opioid crisis. The lawsuit alleged that Johnson & Johnson, along with its subsidiaries, had engaged in deceptive marketing practices that downplayed the addictive nature of opioids and overstated their benefits.
“It’s as simple as this,” Hunter declares. ”My principle was, and when I had conversations with groups, I’d frame it this way: ‘When people do bad things, when individuals do bad things, they need to be held accountable.’ And nobody argued with me ever about that.”
“But the idea that because a company does bad things, there’s a different standard, and Johnson & Johnson was a great example of that. Everything we did at trial was, I thought, masterful and effective. Their case at every turn as they tried to shift responsibility or liability, we rebutted it. They had witnesses who were supposed to be a benchmark for their goodness and their lack of fault or culpability. And actually, we were able to find speeches where they said exactly 180 degrees differently in previous months.”
Mike Hunter’s Landmark Verdict
The trial began in May 2019 and captivated the nation, sending shock waves through the pharmaceutical industry. On Aug. 26, 2019, Judge Thad Balkman delivered a historic verdict, ordering Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million to the state of Oklahoma for its role in the opioid crisis.
This verdict was more than just a monetary award; it was a validation of Hunter’s innovative legal strategy. By framing the opioid crisis as a “public nuisance,” Mike Hunter opened a new avenue for holding corporations accountable for their impact on public health.
“The defendants caused an opioid crisis that is evidenced by increased rates of addiction, overdose deaths, and neonatal abstinence syndrome in Oklahoma,” said Balkman in a statement.
The Oklahoma verdict against Johnson & Johnson reverberated far beyond the state’s borders. It set a powerful precedent for other states and municipalities grappling with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic.
The case demonstrated that pharmaceutical companies could be held legally responsible for their role in the crisis, paving the way for similar lawsuits nationwide. It also provided a road map for other attorneys general and legal teams seeking to address the opioid crisis in their jurisdictions.
Funding the Fight Against Addiction
Perhaps the most tangible impact of Hunter’s trial court victory was the proposed allocation of funds for opioid treatment and prevention programs. The $572 million judgment was earmarked for a variety of initiatives aimed at combating the opioid crisis in Oklahoma such as addiction treatment, pain management programs, and public education efforts. Additionally, resources were allocated for the medical treatment of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition caused by opioid exposure during pregnancy. This abatement plan served as a template for other states in responding to the opioid epidemic.
A Continuing Legacy
Although the Johnson & Johnson trial verdict was subsequently overturned on appeal, Mike Hunter’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis didn’t end there. He continued to pursue legal action against other pharmaceutical companies and worked tirelessly to implement policies aimed at preventing opioid addiction and supporting recovery efforts.
It’s a role he was born to play.
Mike Hunter’s journey to becoming Oklahoma’s attorney general is rooted in a deep commitment to public service. A fourth-generation Oklahoman, he grew up on a farm in Garfield County, instilling in him the values of hard work and community responsibility. After earning his law degree from the University of Oklahoma, Hunter began a career that seamlessly blended law and public policy.
Hunter’s political acumen was honed through various roles, including serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as chief of staff to Rep. J.C. Watts. His appointment as Oklahoma’s secretary of state under Gov. Frank Keating further solidified his reputation as a capable leader and skilled negotiator.
“I always viewed that I had a responsibility to represent the interests of the populace, the body politic, 4 million people,” Hunter reflected on his role as attorney general. This philosophy would prove crucial in his approach to the opioid crisis.
Hunter’s work on the opioid crisis serves as a testament to the power of determined leadership in the face of complex societal challenges. His innovative legal approaches and unwavering commitment to justice have benefited the people of Oklahoma and contributed to a national shift in how we address corporate responsibility in public health crises.
As states across the nation continue to grapple with the ongoing opioid epidemic, the precedent set by Mike Hunter and the state of Oklahoma stands as a road map for action. It demonstrates that with persistence, innovation, and a commitment to justice, it’s possible to hold even the most powerful corporations accountable and secure the resources necessary to heal communities devastated by addiction.
