Retired Oklahoma Judge To Mediate Opioid Settlement Funds

A former Oklahoma State Supreme Court justice will attempt to resolve a dispute over how to disburse an $85 million settlement of a state lawsuit with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Cleveland Count District Judge Thad Balkman said Monday that retired Judge Steven

Tuesday, June 18th 2019, 4:43 pm

By: News 9

Retired Oklahoma Judge To Mediate Opioid Settlement Funds

A former Oklahoma State Supreme Court justice will attempt to resolve a dispute over how to disburse an $85 million settlement of a state lawsuit with Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Cleveland Count District Judge Thad Balkman said Monday that retired Judge Steven Taylor will serve as special master to help find a way to handle the funds arising from a lawsuit that accused drug companies of contributing to the opioid epidemic.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, lawmakers and cities say the May 26 settlement conflicts with a law directing any settlement funds into the state treasury. The law was passed after lawmakers grumbled about how state Attorney General Mike Hunter structured a $270 million settlement with Purdue Pharma in the lawsuit.

Oklahoma’s lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over the opioid epidemic is continuing.

","published":"2019-06-18T21:43:59.000Z","updated":"2019-06-18T21:44:00.000Z","summary":"A former Oklahoma State Supreme Court justice will attempt to resolve a dispute over how to disburse an $85 million settlement of a state lawsuit with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Cleveland Count District Judge Thad Balkman said Monday that retired Judge Steven","affiliate":{"_id":"5cc353fe1c9d440000d3b70f","callSign":"kwtv","origin":"https://www.news9.com"},"contentClass":"news","createdAt":"2020-01-31T18:48:37.115Z","updatedAt":"2025-04-21T20:44:12.811Z","__v":11,"breakingNews":[],"entities":[{"_id":"6243748a6880e45323a703f2","text":"Thad Balkman","type":"PERSON","__v":0},{"_id":"624220516880e45323acc088","text":"Steven Taylor","type":"PERSON","__v":0},{"_id":"62421a536880e45323a204cf","text":"Attorney General","type":"PERSON","__v":0},{"_id":"6238f1556880e45323d020b5","text":"Oklahoma","type":"LOCATION","__v":0},{"_id":"624229016880e45323bc1171","text":"Oklahoma State Supreme Court","type":"ORGANIZATION","__v":0},{"_id":"6244bb086880e45323a372f6","text":"Teva Pharmaceuticals","type":"ORGANIZATION","__v":0},{"_id":"624383cd6880e45323bcc074","text":"Purdue Pharma","type":"ORGANIZATION","__v":0}],"hasBeenCheckedForEntities":true,"openInNewWindow":false,"rendered":17,"peerReviewer":"5c7850eac1778925af4208da","peerReviewedOn":"2025-04-05T20:12:26.524Z","show":true,"link":"/story/5e347685527dcf49dad719a8/retired-oklahoma-judge-to-mediate-opioid-settlement-funds","hasSchedule":false,"id":"5e347685527dcf49dad719a8"};