County Board considering lawsuit against opioid drug makers, asking for public opinion

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal that would allow the county's lawyers to hire outside counsel and decide whether to sue pharmaceutical companies whose practices are believed to contribute to Milwaukee County's ongoing opioid epidemic. 

The resolution says outside counsel would only be compensated if Milwaukee County receives a financial benefit as a result of any claims made against a company.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner is predicting more than 325 opioid related deaths in 2017. More than 31,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Several other counties and local governments around the country have already filed lawsuits to try to force individuals and businesses responsible for the costs of the opioid epidemic to take on the associated financial responsibilities.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is asking citizens to weigh in on the issue with an online poll. The poll question can be found here.