In a landmark verdict last night, there is now a case that could set the stage for hundreds of new lawsuits against drugmakers.

A judge ruled that Johnson & Johnson helped fuel Oklahoma’s opioid addiction crisis, ordering them to pay $572 million to help the state address its drug problem. The ruling could be a preview of what’s to come in more than 2,000 other lawsuits against drugmakers around the country.

“I’m entering an abatement plan that consists of costs totaling $572,102,028,” said Cleveland County District Court Judge Thad Balkman.

Judge Balkman issued the first verdict in what could be a number of lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies nationwide. The judge sided with the state and found that Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries created a public nuisance in Oklahoma.

“There is no question in my mind that these companies knew what was going on at the highest level. They just couldn’t quit making money from it,” said Oklahoma State Attorney General Michael Hunter.

In 2017, Oklahoma sued Johnson & Johnson, Purdue Pharma, and Teva Pharmaceuticals for aggressively marketing opioids to doctors, while significantly downplaying the addiction risks.

Teva and Purdue settled for more than $300 million.

“I feel like my boy was condemned,” said Oklahoma state attorney Reggie Whitten, who lost his son to opioid addiction. “I think they’ll appeal this thing and fight until hell freezes over.”

An attorney for Johnson & Johnson said they’d take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

“The company here made medicines that are essential for patients who suffer from debilitating harm. That’s what they did. They did it responsibly,” said Johnson & Johnson attorney Sabrina Strong.

Oklahoma estimates that since 2000, about 6,000 people there have died from opioid overdoses and thousands more are struggling with addiction.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson jumped as much as five percent after the ruling. Investors feared a far greater judgement against the company.