Texas Judge Dismisses Child's Thimerosal Claim, Says Parents Can Recover

GALVESTON, Texas - A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the parents of a boy allegedly injured by vaccines that contained thimerosal can pursue claims against vaccine manufactures and the companies that supplied them with the mercury-containing preservative, but only for alleged loss of consortium. O'Connell v. American Home Products, et al., No. 02-184 (S.D. Texas).

Judge Samuel B. Kent of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas said in a May 7 opinion that the parent's additional claims for emotional distress and loss of services cannot be maintained under Texas law.

The Texas Supreme Court …