Federal Judge Severs Healthcare Defendants in Remicade Injury Case

CLEVELAND - An Ohio federal judge refused to remand a Remicade injury case to state court, ruling that the healthcare defendants are dispensable parties and can be severed from the action, thereby creating diversity. DeGidio v. Centocor Inc., No. 3:09-721 (N.D. Ohio).

On June 29, Chief Judge James G. Carr of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ruled that resolution of the claim against the healthcare defendants would not resolve the claim against the drug companies.

Anthony DeGidio sued Centocor, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc., Dr. Ray Miller and nurse practitioner Jane Doe for …