N.J. Appeals Court Reverses $25 Million Verdict in Accutane Case

TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey appellate court has reversed a $25 million plaintiff’s verdict rendered in an Accutane case, ruling that the case was untimely under Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations.

On Aug. 11, the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, held that the trial court incorrectly applied New Jersey law, which provides for equitable tolling of the statute of limitations, because the case has a more significant relationship with Alabama.

Alabama resident Andrew McCarrell sued Hoffman-La Roche, alleging that he developed inflammatory bowel disease as a result of taking Accutane when he was in his early 20s. Shortly …