Grandparents Lack Standing in Zoloft Murder/Suicide Case

SHERMAN, Texas - The parents of a woman who shot and killed her family and herself after allegedly ingesting Zoloft do not have standing to bring wrongful death claims against Pfizer Inc. for the death of their grandchildren, a Texas federal magistrate judge has recommended. McCoy v. Pfizer Inc., No. 09-496 (E.D. Texas).

U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant further found that under the Texas constitution, the plaintiffs may not recover punitive damages for wrongful death. However, the judge further recommended that Pfizer's motion for summary judgment be denied in the issue of whether plaintiffs lack the capacity to bring …