Montana Court Upholds Multi-Million Zometa Verdict

HELENA, Mont. - A multi-million jury verdict issued in favor of a woman who alleged that her osteonecrosis of the jaw was caused by the cancer drug Zometa has been upheld by the Montana Supreme Court, which ruled that the statute of limitations was tolled by the class action rule. Stevens v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., No. DA 10-0029 (Mont. Sup. Ct.).

In a Dec. 30 opinion, the court further ruled that the jury was properly asked whether Novartis was negligent in its label or information to the prescribing physician and his staff. However, the court concluded that the trial court …