Thecompanieswerealsoaccusedofignoringsignstherewas a problemconcerningopioidsinnortheasternOhio.
Hoursbeforethetrialbegan, thefourcompaniesagreedto a settlementworth $260 million.
Theysaidtheystronglydisputedthecounty's accusations, butthattheybelievedsettlingthetrialwouldbeanimportantsteptowardquoteachieving a globalresolutionanddeliveringmeaningfulrelief.