Story correction/clarification

The Oconee County attorney has corrected and clarified a 101.7/WGOG NEWS story. The attorney, David Root, says, “The county has not dropped out of the opioid litigation.” A nationwide class action suit is aimed to recover costs inflicted by prescription opioid addiction. Root explained, “Last night the county opted out (as many counties in South Carolina will be doing) from a ‘negotiated class.’ The negotiation class was instituted by the federal judge who is overseeing federal opioid litigation (we filed in state court) in attempts to spur on negotiation settlement. If the county stayed in that class we would be bound by any settlement that was negotiated by the attorneys for the class (which we did not hire and have no relationship with) once it was approved by the class and the judge. Opting out of the class likely leaves the county with the most freedom to pursue trial or direct negotiations.”