Articles by Tom Hals and Mike Spector

Judge Will Approve Purdue Bankruptcy Plan, Freeing Sacklers From Future Liability Suits

A U.S. judge said on Wednesday he would approve OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP’s bankruptcy reorganization plan, clearing a path to resolve thousands of opioid lawsuits and shielding the company’s wealthy Sackler family owners from future opioid litigation. Bankruptcy Judge …

Ruling on Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy and Opioid Settlement Delayed Until Next Week

A U.S. judge said on Thursday he now anticipates a ruling on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP’s bankruptcy reorganization plan on Wednesday of next week instead of this week because he needs more oral argument on certain issues. U.S. Bankruptcy …

Judge Declines Plaintiffs’ Bid to Block J&J From Offloading Talcum Liabilities

A U.S. judge declined to stop Johnson & Johnson from taking steps to offload widespread Baby Powder liabilities from the rest of its business, preserving the option for the healthcare company to move thousands of claims from people who used …

J&J Considers Placing Talcum Powder Liabilities Into Bankruptcy: Reuters

Johnson & Johnson is exploring a plan to offload liabilities from widespread Baby Powder litigation into a newly created business that would then seek bankruptcy protection, according to seven people familiar with the matter. During settlement discussions, one of the …

All But a Few States Now Back Purdue Pharma, Sackler Family Bankruptcy Deal

Fifteen more states reached an agreement with Purdue Pharma LP and members of its wealthy Sackler family owners that moved the OxyContin maker a step closer to resolving widespread opioid litigation and exiting bankruptcy protection. All but a handful of …

Reuters Exclusive: Safety Regulators Reviewed Concerns Over GM Steering Sensor

U.S. automotive safety regulators reviewed evidence related to an allegedly defective steering sensor that was used in roughly 778,000 older General Motors Co vehicles but ultimately decided against opening a formal investigation into the matter. The National Highway Traffic Safety …

Reuters Special Report: Suit Over Deadly Crash Renews Spotlight on GM Safety

On a clear afternoon in November 2014, Glenda Marie Buchanan set off in her silver Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV from her home in rural Georgia. Several minutes into the drive, she started veering off the road. Buchanan swerved left and lost …

Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan Proposes Public Trusts to Settle Opioid Lawsuits

Purdue Pharma LP filed a bankruptcy plan on Monday that would resolve thousands of opioid lawsuits by restructuring the OxyContin maker into an entity that would steer profits to plaintiffs and require the company’s Sackler family owners to contribute nearly …

Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers Increase Opioid Settlement Offer to $4.3B: Reuters

Members of the Sackler family who own Purdue Pharma LP have offered roughly $4.3 billion to resolve sprawling opioid litigation, up from $3 billion initially proposed in settlement discussions underway in the OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy proceedings, four people familiar with …

Purdue Pharma to Plead Guilty Over Opioid Practices; Critics Balk at Terms

Purdue Pharma LP agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges over the handling of its addictive prescription opioid OxyContin, in a deal with U.S. prosecutors that effectively sidestepped paying billions of dollars in penalties and stopped short of criminally charging …