Punitive Damage Claims Do Not Raise Federal Issues, Judge Rules

TRENTON, N.J. - A New Jersey federal judge has remanded to state court six Elidel and Protopic injury actions, ruling that the plaintiffs' punitive damage claims do not raise federal issues warranting federal jurisdiction. Stout, et al. v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., et al., Nos. 08-856, 07-2774, 09-0095, 09-916, 07-1657, 07-655 (D. N.J.).

Judge Jerome B. Simandle of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled on Nov. 30 that the drug maker defendants failed to identify any dispute regarding the interpretation of federal law that would warrant federal jurisdiction.

Novartis asserted that the cases should remain in …