Baltimore, MD – On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Scott announced that the City of Baltimore has reached a settlement with Walmart to resolve claims related to the company’s role in the opioid epidemic.

Under the terms of the settlement, Baltimore will receive just over $7.2 million from Walmart. Mayor Scott stated that while the money will not undo the damage done, it represents an important step in holding corporate actors accountable.

“The opioid epidemic brought on by corporate greed has had disastrous effects on Baltimore and communities nationwide,” said Mayor Scott. “This settlement aims to rectify some of that damage, and the funds will allow us to further address the ongoing opioid problem in our city.”

Baltimore originally filed a lawsuit against Walmart and other manufacturers and distributors in 2018 for their contribution to the opioid crisis locally. The city previously declined to join statewide settlements offered to defendants, believing those deals did not adequately compensate for the harm done.

According to City Solicitor Ebony Thompson, Baltimore chose to settle separately with Walmart due to its small market share and 2016 exit from the city. She stated the city will continue pursuing cases against other companies involved.

“The global settlements offered mere pennies on the dollar for the defendants’ actions. We will keep fighting to ensure they pay their fair share for the devastation inflicted on Baltimore,” said Thompson.

Baltimore’s trial against remaining opioid defendants is scheduled for September 2024. Prior settlements with Mallinckrodt brought the city’s total opioid litigation recovery to over $1 million to date.