Opioid Fines Could Reach $150 Billion in Worst-Case Scenario (1)

Monday’s $572 million judgment against Johnson & Johnson may mean one analyst’s “bear case scenario” of $150 billion in opioid damages just got one step closer.

Patrick Trucchio, a Berenberg analyst, on Tuesday renewed his April projection for U.S. liabilities in the opioid crisis. That sum includes federal litigation involving more than 45 states and 2,000 localities, where lawyers have sought a settlement of $100 billion, he said. A worst-case outcome of $150 billion would exceed Ukraine’s gross domestic product.

Berenberg’s projections may be the most bearish on the Street. Tom Claps, a legal analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group, estimated ...