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The judge singlehandedly trying to solve the opioid crisis

U.S. District Judge Daniel Polster summoned pharma executives, law enforcement, government officials and lawyers to his court on Wednesday to forge a deal that would address the crisis and resolve more than 200 lawsuits

By Jef Feeley, Jared S. Hopkins | Updated on February 01, 2018
A Cleveland judge says the U.S. government has punted on the nationwide opioid epidemic. So he’s grabbing the ball and running with it. (Photo: Shutterstock)

A Cleveland judge says the U.S. government has punted on the nationwide opioid epidemic. So he’s grabbing the ball and running with it.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Polster has summoned pharma executives, law enforcement, government officials and lawyers to his court on Wednesday as he tries to forge a deal that would address the crisis and resolve more than 200 lawsuits stemming from it. 

It’s a daring strategy even for a 20-year veteran judge who doesn’t shy away from seemingly intractable conflicts. Polster has said he hopes to strike a deal this year to offset the billions of dollars in costs U.S. municipalities face in dealing with an epidemic that claims 150 American lives each day. 

“It would be fantastic if he can put together a settlement that really addresses these issues in that short a period,” said Jane Eggen, a law professor at Widener University in Delaware who teaches mass-tort law. It’s an “ambitious way to start.” 

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