9th Cir. Orders Protection for Prospective Clients' Law Firm Questionnaires

SAN FRANCISCO - The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on June 9 issued a protective writ of mandamus sought by Paxil plaintiffs to prevent disclosure of personal information they provided on law firm questionnaires. Barton v. United States District Court. No. CV-01-07937-MRP (9th Cir.) [In re: Paxil Products Liability Litigation].

The three-judge panel vacated a discovery order by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California compelling production.

The plaintiffs sued SmithKline Beecham Corp. (now GlaxoSmithKline) in September 2001, claiming injuries from withdrawal of the anti-depressant Paxil (paroxetine HCI).

The four plaintiffs who appealed to the 9th …