Conn. Federal Judge Awards Prempro Plaintiffs $1.8 Million in Punitive Damages

HARTFORD, Conn. — In the wake of a $4 million Prempro verdict against Wyeth Inc. (NSE:WYETH), a Connecticut federal judge has awarded plaintiffs $1.8 million in punitive damages, which represents their litigation expenses less taxable costs.

In an Aug. 5 order, Judge Janet Bond Arterton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut determined that the Connecticut Product Liability Act incorporates the common law cap on punitive damages.

Margaret and Joseph Fraser used Wyeth, alleging that Margaret was injured by her ingestion of the hormone therapy drug Prempro. In an April 18, 2012, verdict, a jury found Wyeth …