Brian Mann

As the cases proceed, critics say blame for the addiction crisis should be shared by government officials, who saw that opioid sales were skyrocketing years ago but failed to raise the alarm.

Purdue Pharma has filed for bankruptcy as it settles lawsuits with states and governments over the opioid crisis. Purdue's board of directors approved the litigation settlement on Sunday.

The New York state attorney general says the Sackler family has transferred $1 billion overseas as it negotiated a settlement over its company, Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin.

The pending settlement likely means Purdue will avoid going to trial in the sprawling and complicated case involving some 2,300 local governments across 23 states.

Purdue Pharma, the company that makes Oxycontin, has reached a tentative deal to settle thousands of lawsuits stemming from the country's opioid epidemic. Some state officials may not agree to the terms of the deal.

A Purdue Pharma spokesperson has revealed to NPR that the Sackler family, which owns the company, is willing to give up the "entire value" of the firm to settle claims, plus $3 billion in cash.

A group of state attorneys general negotiating with members of the Sackler family says they expect Purdue Pharma to file for bankruptcy "imminently," according to an email obtained by NPR.

Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and other drug firms accused of fueling the nation's opioid epidemic are in talks trying to reach legal settlements that could reach tens of billions of dollars.

Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and other health care giants are discussing potential deals with authorities that could resolve thousands of lawsuits they're facing over the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, faces billions of dollars in potential liability for its role in the nation's opioid crisis.

A court order that Johnson and Johnson pay Oklahoma $572 million for its role in the opioid crisis is good news for the other state and local governments bringing cases against the opioid industry.

In a landmark ruling, Judge Thad Balkman ruled in favor of Oklahoma in its lawsuit to hold the drugmaker accountable for the costs of opioid addiction in the state.

The first major opioid trial in the country wraps up Monday. An Oklahoma judge will rule in a $17 billion civil suit filed by the state against Johnson & Johnson.

Documents released as part of the biggest opioid litigation case reveal more internal emails from drug industry executives voicing indifference to addiction risks and the over-use of opioids.

As addiction has soared, drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies profited off opioids. Newly released data details who made the pills, where they were sold, and which communities were hit hardest.

The deal to resolve all U.S. federal investigations and claims is the biggest drug industry settlement so far stemming from the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

It's the biggest settlement yet in the nation's opioid crisis: the company that marketed Suboxone Film, an opioid treatment drug, will pay $1.4 billion to settle claims of fraudulent marketing.

Drug companies are paying hundreds of millions of dollars to end lawsuits tied to the opioid epidemic. As payouts grow, government leaders are fighting over where the money should go.

Feuding state parties have reached a compromise over how to spend the $85 million the state won in a settlement with a pharmaceutical company which was being sued over its role in the opioid crisis.

New York is set to enact plans to battle climate change. It would go further than some other states in cutting carbon emissions from electricity, buildings and transportation.