St. Joseph County is joining a massive federal lawsuit with other Indiana counties and cities against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
County commissioners voted unanimously to sign an agreement with Indianapolis law firm Cohen and Malad, who is handling a lawsuit against pharmaceuticals who are accused of using deceptive marketing practices to help spread their opioids in the state of Indiana.
The South Bend Tribune reports the lawsuit asks for reimbursement from the companies for the increased public health and safety costs that have come with the opioid crisis. As part of the agreement, the law firm won’t be paid anything unless there’s a ruling in their favor.
Opioid overdose deaths in St. Joseph County have ranged from 57 last year to 60 in 2016.