Federal judges are asked to pave way for Purdue Pharma deal

By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

A woman who lost two sons to overdoses says she hopes a federal court clears the way for a settlement of lawsuits against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma. Chery Juaire, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, said Friday she hopes judges on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rule soon “because lives are at stake.” The question facing the appeals panel is whether a bankruptcy judge has the authority to grant members of the Sackler family who own Purdue protection from lawsuits. If they say yes, the deal would allow the company to exit bankruptcy and require the Sacklers to contribute billions to combat the crisis.