Albany signals possible entry into opioid litigation

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Another South Georgia community is taking steps to enter the growing opioid lawsuit.

Albany Commissioners listened to pitches by lawyers from five firms across Georgia, who want to represent the city in litigation.

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The city's attorney, Nathan Davis, said Albany has economic damages because of widespread painkiller abuse.

An obvious area is with the police department, where the number of opioid-related arrests continues to increase.

"There is a lot of out of pocket expenses the city has incurred from the police department and other departments having their attentions diverted, or eaten up, by opioid problems," said Davis.

This potential lawsuit is part of a large multi-district litigation against pharmaceutical companies, who manufacture or distribute opioids.

This case is based out of a federal court in Ohio.

Any financial settlement or award, if one is reached in this case, would be dispersed among hundreds of governmental agencies and other named plaintiffs across the nation.

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