Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Annika Ashton
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO APPROVE Participation Agreement regarding opioid litigation in substantially the same form as Exhibit 1; and to authorize the County Administrator to execute the Participation Agreement with any required modifications, provided such modifications do not impose any additional material financial risk on the County, and subject to review and approval as to legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Why Action is Necessary
Approval is required by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) to resolve the County’s presuit claims against Albertsons Companies (“Albertsons”), a regional dispenser of opioid drugs.
What Action Accomplishes
Allow the Board to approve the Agreement, which will settle the County’s potential opioid claim against Albertsons.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On December 12, 2017, the Board authorized the filing of litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and other potential parties in connection with the opioid epidemic. On March 12, 2018, Broward County (“County”) filed a multicount lawsuit against multiple manufacturers, distributors, marketers, sellers, and dispensers of opioids.
On several occasions (most recently on June 9, 2026, Agenda Item No. 45), the Board has authorized the County Administrator to enter into agreements with these entities to settle the County’s potential claims.
A proposed settlement has now been reached between the County and Albertsons on a presuit basis. The settlement will be used for abating the opioid crisis.
To receive this settlement with Albertsons, the County must approve the Participation Agreement, attached as Exhibit 1. The Participation Agreement will release all of the County’s presuit claims against Albertsons. The settlement will have no effect on the County’s unresolved claims against the manufacturers, distributors, marketers, sellers, dispensers, and other opioid-related parties in any ongoing litigation.
The County’s outside counsel team and the County Attorney’s Office recommend that the Board approve the Participation Agreement.
Source of Additional Information
Not applicable
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary