Federal Judge Awards Benefits to Diet Drug Plaintiff

PHILADELPHIA - A class member under the Diet Drug Nationwide Class Action Settlement Agreement has demonstrated a reasonable medical basis to support her claim for $556,216 in Matrix compensation benefits, a Pennsylvania federal judge has ruled. Sloane v. American Home Products Corp., MDL No. 1203, No. 99-20593 (E.D. Pa.).

On July 2, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III concluded that plaintiff presented sufficient evidence that her mitral regurgitation met the levels required by the settlement agreement.

In October 2002, Nancy K. Sloane claimant submitted a green form to the American Home Products Settlement Trust, seeking benefits. The green form …