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Ashland County Ratifies Counsel Authority to Add Defendants to Opioid Lawsuit, Including OptumRx
Summary
The board approved a resolution authorizing county counsel to add additional defendants, including OptumRx, to ongoing opioid litigation (MDL 2804); Ashland County would receive the same statewide share previously used in prior settlements (about 0.6%).
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution confirming and ratifying the authority of county counsel to add additional defendants to opioid litigation, including participation in MDL 2804. The action was prompted by the Wisconsin Counties Association’s recommendation to include OptumRx and other health-care companies as potential defendants.
Board members asked about timing and Ashland County’s potential share of any settlement. County counsel explained that a new case would not carry a fixed timeline and that OptumRx is contesting liability; the county’s portion would be calculated as the same percentage share used in prior statewide settlements (stated in the meeting as roughly 0.6% of Wisconsin’s allocation).
Supervisors were told the total dollar amount and distribution timing would depend on settlement or adjudication outcomes. The board passed the resolution by voice vote after questions and clarification from counsel and the county’s WCA representative.
The resolution formally authorizes counsel to add defendants as necessary and to proceed with litigation steps handled by the county’s legal team. No specific settlement terms, timelines, or dollar amounts were adopted at the meeting.
