Mayor plans possible opioid lawsuit

Mayor Megan Barry’s office intends to hire law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein to investigate and possibly sue opioid manufacturers and distributors “that have wrongfully caused drug addiction in Davidson County and resulting economic harm to the Metropolitan Government,” according to legislation filed with the Metro Council Friday.

Metro Government issued a request for qualifications this summer seeking a law firm to serve as special counsel to explore possible litigation against opioid companies, with responses due Sept. 1.