Judge's Decision to Extend Deadlines for Echocardiograms Affirmed by Third Circuit

PHILADELPHIA - The district judge presiding over the federal Diet Drugs MDL did not err when he extended the deadlines for some individuals to submit proof of injury evidence in the American Home Products Nationwide Class Action Settlement, the Third Circuit held Feb. 23. In re: Diet Drugs Products Liability Litigation, No. 02-4581 (3rd Cir.).

The appellate court stated in its unpublished opinion that U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III's decision to approve the 'Fifth Amendment' to the settlement agreement did not result in impermissible disparate treatment of some class members because equal treatment sometimes requires 'crafting settlement terms in …