State Judge Grants Class Certification to Individuals Who Suffered Oxycontin WIthdrawal

HAMILTON, Ohio-A lawsuit filed on behalf of Ohio residents who suffered from addiction and withdrawal symptoms associated with the prescription painkiller Oxycontin has been granted class certification by a state judge. Howland, et al., v. Purdue Pharma, L.P., et al., No. CV2001-07-1651 (Ohio Common Pls., Butler Cty.).

Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Sage's Aug. 30 ruling states that class certification would be more efficient because common questions of law, such as the plaintiffs' claims of negligence, failure to warn and breach of express and implied warranty, predominate over individual issues.

The plaintiffs' petition for class certification sought …