Mississippi Court Orders New Trials in $48 Million Propulsid Case

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled May 13 that the claims of 10 plaintiffs who were awarded $48 million for injuries allegedly caused by Propulsid should be severed and transferred to the appropriate venue because they did not arise out of the same transactions or occurrences. Janssen Pharmaceutica, et al. v. Robert Bailey, et al. No. 2002-CA-00736 (Miss. Sup. Ct.).

The 6-to-1 majority found that each plaintiff's case presented a unique set of facts and circumstances that should be presented in individual trials. However, the state's high court declined to address the specific issues of remittiturs, compensatory damages …