Ky. Judge Denies Summary Judgment to Shire in Adderall Wrongful Death Lawsuit

BURLINGTON, Ky. - A Kentucky Circuit Court denied a summary judgment motion by Shire USA, ruling that federal law does not preempt wrongful death claims against the maker of the Adderall attention-deficit drug. Branson v. Shire USA Inc. No. 01-CI-01220. (Ky. Cir. Ct., Boone Cty.).

Plaintiffs Dawn M. and Ken Branson sued Shire in October 2001, claiming that their son Nathaniel's death in a car accident was caused by the side effects suffered by his mother while she was driving the family car.

Dawn says she suffered a 'psychotic episode' produced by Adderall that caused her to hear voices …