Judge Janet Helson ordered Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million over opioid prescriptions
King County Superior Court Judge Janet Helson ordered Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million plus fees and costs for failing to adequately investigate opioid prescription warning signs. The state attorney general’s office said more than 6.5 million prescriptions with red flags were filled from 2006 to 2022. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said the judgment will fund treatment and prevention.
More context
King County Superior Court Judge Janet Helson ordered Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million plus fees and costs for failing to adequately investigate opioid prescription warning signs. Judge Janet Helson issued the ruling Thursday, Nov. 5, after a nine-week trial, the Washington State Standard reported. The Washington attorney general’s office said Albertsons pharmacies dispensed more than 641 million opioid pills in the state from 2006 through 2022 and unlawfully filled red-flagged prescriptions more than 6.5 million times without documenting efforts to ensure they were for legitimate medical purposes. The San Joaquin Valley Sun reported that the award includes $800 million for abatement and $100 million in penalties. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said the verdict would support treatment and prevention. Albertsons said it disagrees with the ruling and is reviewing it to consider an appeal.
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Reporting
- Reuters — Albertsons must pay $900 million for fueling opioid epidemic in Washington state, judge rules
- News From The States — Albertsons must pay $900M for role in WA opioid crisis, judge rules
- KOMO News — Judge orders Albertsons to pay $900 million in Washington opioid case
- sjvsun.com — Albertsons ordered to pay $900 million for role in Washington state opioid crisis
- washingtonstatestandard.com — Albertsons must pay $900M for role in WA opioid crisis, judge rules • Washington State Standard
- mybellinghamnow.com — Judge orders Albertsons to pay WA $900 million for role in opioid crisis - My Bellingham Now
- dailyfly.com — Washington Judge Orders Albertsons to Pay $900 Million in Opioid Case | Dailyfly News
Verifier’s note
Reuters, SJVSUN, Washington State Standard, My Bellingham Now, News From The States, Dailyfly News, and KOMO News all report the same November 5 ruling ordering Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million. Their reports corroborate the proposed event, with News From The States carrying the Washington State Standard report.