City reports $752,640.78 from national opioid settlements; council to consider participation in additional settlements Sept. 9

Lynchburg’s city attorney told city council on Aug. 26 that the city has received $752,640.78 from national opioid litigation settlements and that the city is eligible to participate in two additional settlements, including those involving Purdue Pharma/Sackler-related claims and several manufacturers.

"As of August 14, 2025, the city's finance department indicated the city has received $752,000, $640.78 from the National Opioid Litigation Settlements," the city attorney reported. He said the city also has received two grants connected with the settlements totaling more than $2 million.

The attorney said the city joined a memorandum of understanding to participate in the Virginia opioid abatement authority fund and that the state is seeking broad local participation because wider sign-up increases the funds flowing to the state and local abatement authority. Resolutions to participate in two additional settlements — one involving the Sackler family/Purdue-related claims and another covering a group of manufacturers — are expected to be placed on the Sept. 9 agenda for council action.

Council members asked for brief clarifications about the defendants and the legal bases for settlements; the city attorney described the settlements as addressing a range of defendants, including manufacturers, distributors and owners, and said claims generally involve misrepresentation, gross negligence or other improper marketing and sale practices.

No final decision to accept new settlement funds was made at the Aug. 26 work session; council will be asked to affirm participation in the additional settlements at its Sept. 9 meeting.