About the Settlement

  • This lawsuit is a class action known as Kinlaw v. Sackler, et al., No. 1:25-CV-00918 (the “Lawsuit” or “Action”). Judge Matthew Garcia of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is overseeing the lawsuit. The person (s) or entity (ies) who sued are called the “Plaintiff,” and the companies they sued are called the “Defendants.” The lawsuit alleges that to sell as many prescription opioids as possible, Defendants misrepresented the risks and safety of prescription opioid use. It further alleges that as a result, emergency room physicians now must spend additional money and resources to treat opioid dependent patients and patients with opioid-related conditions that they would not have had to treat otherwise. Defendants deny that they did anything wrong. No court, jury, or other authority has decided whether Defendants did anything wrong. The Proposed Settlement has now been reached with Defendants.

    • There is one proposed Settlement with several named Defendants: This Class Action Settlement is with Richard Sackler, David Sackler, Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, Mortimer D.A. Sackler, Kathe Sackler, the estate of Jonathan Sackler by and through its executor Garrett Lynam, the estate of Raymond Sackler by and through its executors Richard Sackler and David Sackler, and the estate of Beverly Sackler, by and through its executors Richard Sackler and David Sackler (each, individually, a “Settling Defendant” and, collectively, the “Settling Defendants”)

    • If the Settlement is approved by the Court and becomes final, the settling Defendants will pay money to settle the lawsuit in exchange for releases of claims against them. The Class Action Settlement Defendants will pay up to $3,842,182 in one lump sum. The Settlement Fund (the Settlement Amounts plus interest) will be used to pay money to qualifying Class Members to be used for abatement, attorney’s fees and expenses, notice and administration costs, claims administration costs and expenses, taxes and tax expenses. More information and the specific released claims are defined in the Settlement Agreement, available for review on the Court Documents Tab.

    • You are part of the Class and in the Settlement if: You practiced as an independent3 emergency room physician (“IERP”) in the United States for any five years between January 1, 1996, through Final Judgment and during that time and in that capacity, you (a) treated patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder and/or other opioid-related conditions, and (b) have been damaged in the past and/or reasonably anticipate incurring additional treatment, educational and abatement expenses in the future arising from patients suffering from OUD and opioid misuse. The Settlement seeks to provide an Allocated Amount to IERPs who qualify as Class Members, to use their Allocated Amount towards OUD Abatement Purposes. Unclaimed Settlement Fund will be used for OUD Abatement Purposes.