J&J’s day of reckoning in Oklahoma opioids case could come today

An Oklahoma judge could rule this afternoon in a widely watched case that blames drug giant Johnson & Johnson for fueling the state’s opioid epidemic. Unlike opioid makers Purdue and Teva, J&J chose to go to trial rather than settle with the state for damage it allegedly caused through aggressively marketing its painkillers while also downplaying the risk of addiction. Oklahoma says it could cost up to $17.5 billion to recoup what it has spent on the crisis. Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman is expected to read his decision in court at 3 p.m. CT, concluding a trial that began May 28 and could have far-reaching effects on a multitude of lawsuits across the country. J&J lawyers say the company followed strict industry regulations.