The opioid lawsuits Stephen Skinner has worked on for nearly seven years are coming to an end, with local governments within the state of West Virginia finally poised to receive funds to help alleviate the opioid epidemic.
The West Virginia First Foundation, which is led by five appointed and six elected board members from around the state, will distribute a large portion of the funds. However, all counties and municipalities will be receiving significant direct funding for a part of the settlement. Local lawyer Matt Harvey, Jefferson County’s prosecuting attorney, was elected chair of the foundation.
The foundation will distribute just under three-quarters of the settlement money. Around a quarter will go directly to local communities, and 3% will remain in trust.
The state is receiving money from each of its settlement agreements on a staggered schedule, with annual payments coming until at least 2036. The private foundation alone is expected to receive around $367 million over the next five years.
The settlement money is a result of years of hard-fought lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, distribution companies, and pharmacy chains that contributed to the epidemic.
Stephen, who devoted thousands of hours to working towards these settlements, is thrilled that money will finally be reaching the local governments that are in a position to put the money where it is most needed.