Panel: Opioid Suits Describe ‘Exclusively Deliberate’ Conduct, No Coverage Owed

Mealey's (January 29, 2024, 1:17 PM EST) -- SAN FRANCISCO — The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Jan. 26 held that underlying allegations brought against a prescription drug distributor insured “describe exclusively deliberate conduct” and, therefore, there is no coverage owed, affirming a lower federal court’s summary judgment ruling in favor of insurers in their lawsuit disputing coverage for the underlying lawsuits prompted by the opioid epidemic....