NEW YORK—United States bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane, of the Southern District of New York, ruled on Friday, November 14, to approve a settlement with OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler Family, to pay thousands of victims up to $7 billion over 15 years for fueling the opioid crisis. Washington state is expected to receive an estimated $105.6 million as a result of the ruling to bolster addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs.
The latest agreement replaces one the U.S. Supreme Court rejected last year, finding it would have improperly protected members of the Sackler family against future lawsuits. Judge Lane is expected to provide the details of his decision on Tuesday.
Today’s federal bankruptcy court approval also marks a pivotal end to the Sacklers’ control of the company. Judge Lane also ordered the members of the Sackler family to give up ownership of their Connecticut-based firm.
Attorney General Nick Brown in June 2025 announced that he joined 54 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, in signing on to the latest $7.4 billion settlement agreement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. For decades under the Sackler family’s ownership, Purdue Pharma aggressively manufactured and marketed opioid products, igniting the deadliest drug crisis in U.S. history according to the AG’s Office.
“The Attorney General’s Office recovery of more than one billion dollars has empowered state, local, and tribal governments to combat the opioid crisis,” Brown said. “Today’s agreement means even more money will flow to fund treatment centers, support first responders, and improve Washingtonians’ lives. We must do more to help communities on the frontlines of the opioid crisis and today’s settlement will do exactly that.”
Most settlement funds will be disbursed in the first three years to ensure swift action. In Washington, allocations will be divided evenly between state and local governments, with all proceeds dedicated exclusively to combating the opioid crisis through evidence-based initiatives.
Including this $105.6 million share for Washington over 15 years, the state has now secured nearly $1.29 billion in total funds from companies that have fueled the opioid epidemic.
Author: Mario Lotmore
