Kroger Agrees to Pay Almost $1.4 Billion to Settle Opioid Lawsuit Claims

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Kroger has reached a nearly $1.4 billion settlement to resolve the majority of claims from states, counties, and Native American tribes accusing the supermarket giant of contributing to the opioid crisis. The agreement, which was first announced in principle in September 2023, is expected to result in payments beginning early next year.

The settlement allocates up to $1.2 billion to state and local governments in areas where Kroger operates, $36 million to Native American tribes, and approximately $177 million for legal fees and costs.

As one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., with stores in 35 states, Kroger's settlement also includes commitments to improve its pharmacy practices. In addition to the financial payment, the company has agreed to implement new measures for monitoring and reporting suspicious opioid prescription activity.

Kroger maintains that the settlement does not imply an admission of wrongdoing or liability. A company spokesperson noted that the resolution of these claims will direct over $1.2 billion toward national opioid abatement efforts.

The settlement marks another significant development in the ongoing litigation surrounding the opioid epidemic, which has seen drug distributors, pharmacies, and wholesalers face numerous lawsuits. In the past eight years, settlements across the industry have totaled more than $50 billion, aimed at addressing the crisis and supporting affected communities.