Judge Severs Healthcare Defendants in Contaminated Heparin Action

CLEVELAND - An Ohio federal judge refused to remand to Louisiana state court a contaminated heparin case against Baxter International Inc., but remanded the action as to the healthcare defendants, ruling that they are dispensable parties and may be severed in order to achieve diversity. Joseph v. Baxter International Inc., No. 1:08-60053 (N.D. Ohio).

On May 13, Judge James G. Carr of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio held that plaintiffs will not be prejudiced because they may still proceed against the healthcare defendants in state court.

The family of Merline Joseph sued Baxter in the …