Calif. Judge Says Trial Court Erred in Exercising General Jurisdiction in Accutane Wrongful Death Case

SAN JOSE, Calif. - A California appellate court on June 27 ordered a trial court to dismiss Swiss defendants F. Hoffman-La Roche and Roche Holding from an Accutane wrongful death lawsuit, saying in part that it offended constitutional due process considerations to exercise jurisdiction based on reporting of adverse drug events. F. Hoffman-La Roche, et al, v. The Superior Court of Santa Clara County, et al. No. H027794 (Calif. Ct. of App., 6th Dist.).

Steven Wertheimer, 14, committed suicide in October 2002 by throwing himself in front of a train. His parents, Barry and Laurie M. Wertheimer, sued six Roche …