Counsel's 'Misstatement of Law' Prompts Fine and Denial of Joint Motion to Strike Recklessness Claims

WATERBURY, Conn.-A defense attorney representing Amide Pharmaceuticals in a PPA products liability case was fined $100 when a judge ruled that his oral arguments in support of a motion to strike claims of recklessness consisted of 'egregious misstatements of law.' Pulitano v. Amide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., No. CV-02-0171899-S (Super. Co. Conn., Waterbury Dist.).

Superior Court Judge Robert F. McWeeny's Nov. 4 memorandum reprimanded defense counsel Reed Slatas of Halloran & Sage, L.L.P., in Hartford, and denied the joint motion of Amide and Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., to strike claims of recklessness seeking punitive damages.

Plaintiff Livia Pulitano claims that …