The benefits manager for a Philadelphia teacher's union has filed a class action suit against Purdue Pharma and Abbott Laboratories, contending the drugmakers misled the fund about the efficacy and risks of opioids.

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund filed the suit in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Monday. The suit alleges the companies violated the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. On Thursday, Eastern District Judge Timothy Savage issued an order giving the plaintiffs until Nov. 17 to file a RICO case statement detailing the facts the plaintiffs relied on to bring its claims.

Sol Weiss of Anapol Weiss filed the suit on behalf of the fund. Weiss is one of the lead attorneys representing the class of retired professional football players who sued the National Football League for concussion-related injuries. That litigation has since come to a $1 billion settlement.