Pennsylvania Law Applies to Zometa Punitive Damages Claims, Pa. Federal Judge Rules

PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania, rather than New Jersey, law applies to punitive damages claims brought against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE: NVS) in three Zometa injury cases, because all of the plaintiffs’ alleged injuries occurred in Pennsylvania, a federal judge has ruled.

On Nov. 22, Judge Mark R. Hornak of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania noted that Novartis conducted research regarding Zometa and made decisions on the drug’s marketing, labeling, and packaging in New Jersey.

“However, the place where the defendant engaged in certain conduct is of less significance in situations where a potential defendant might …