Landmark Settlement: Massachusetts Secures Justice in $7.4 Billion Purdue Pharma Case

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, alongside a bipartisan coalition of states, has announced a groundbreaking $7.4 billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma. The settlement addresses their pivotal role in fueling the opioid crisis. Massachusetts is slated to receive up to $108 million from this historic settlement, which, if approved, would bring sweeping accountability, transparency, and funding to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic.

For decades, Purdue Pharma, under the leadership of the Sackler family, aggressively marketed opioids, contributing to waves of addiction and overdose deaths nationwide. The settlement, subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, would mark the largest settlement to date involving individuals responsible for the opioid crisis. It ensures Purdue’s opioid business in the U.S. comes to a permanent end, while directing billions of dollars to support treatment, prevention, and recovery programs over the next 15 years.

Holding the Sacklers Accountable

AG Campbell made a strong statement about the Sackler family’s actions: “The Sackler family will forever be remembered as a symbol of greed, profiting off pain to destroy countless lives across the Commonwealth and country. While this settlement cannot bring back the lives lost, it will bring in much-needed funds to remediate the damage and hold the Sacklers accountable for their devastating actions.”

Governor Maura Healey echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the historic nature of the settlement: “This resolution puts an end to Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers’ involvement in this industry once and for all. It also ensures transparency into their business dealings and provides critical funding to address the opioid crisis.”

Joanne Peterson, founder of Learn to Cope and a member of the AG’s Family Advisory Council, called the settlement a victory for families seeking justice and accountability. “With the release of Purdue’s documents, the public will see the atrocity of the Sacklers’ actions. Hopefully, this will ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”

Financial Terms and Distribution

The settlement outlines a significant financial payout:

• $1.5 billion from the Sacklers and $900 million from Purdue will be distributed in the first payment.
• Additional payments include $500 million from the Sacklers after one year, $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.

The funds will be allocated to participating states, local governments, affected individuals, and other parties who previously sued Purdue or the Sacklers. A significant portion will be delivered within the first three years.

A Transparent Future and Structural Changes

If approved, the settlement includes groundbreaking measures to ensure transparency and accountability:

• The release of over 30 million documents, including attorney-client privileged communications about Purdue’s marketing tactics and compliance with prior judgments.
• Prohibition of Sackler family members from participating in the opioid business in the United States.
• Oversight of Purdue by a board of trustees selected by participating states and creditors, ensuring the company cannot resume harmful practices.
• Independent monitoring of Purdue until its future is determined.

These documents will be added to a public repository already containing millions of records from prior opioid-related settlements, providing a detailed account of the Sacklers’ role in the crisis.

A Long Road to Justice

Massachusetts was the first state to sue members of the Sackler family directly, filing a lawsuit in 2018 that alleged Purdue executives misled doctors and the public to drive opioid sales. This conduct caused immense suffering, overdoses, and deaths in Massachusetts and beyond.

The case faced numerous legal hurdles, including Purdue’s 2019 bankruptcy filing, which temporarily halted litigation. In 2021, a settlement requiring the Sacklers to pay $4.3 billion was reached, but it was later invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024, which ruled that the Sacklers were not entitled to blanket immunity from liability. The current settlement notably does not shield the Sacklers from further claims and instead requires them to secure individual releases.

A National Effort

The eight heirs of Purdue founders Raymond and Mortimer Sackler—along with their trusts, advisers, and estates—are included in this settlement. Joining Massachusetts in securing the agreement are attorneys general from 14 other states, including New York, California, Texas, and Virginia.

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