Judge Denies Renewed Motion for Certification of Nationwide Class of Economic Injury Plaintiffs

SEATTLE - On Feb. 7, U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein denied the renewed motion for certification of a proposed nationwide class of individuals who are seeking economic relief based on their possession of PPA-containing products as of Nov. 6, 2000. In re: Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1407 (W.D. Wash.).

According to the order, the proposed class again failed to meet the predominance of common facts requirement of Rule 23(b)(3). Judge Rothstein also opined that the difficulties in managing the proposed class outweighed the minimal amount of damages sought by each putative class member.

Judge Rothstein previously denied …