Federal Judge Approves $70 Million Serzone Settlement

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The judge presiding over the Serzone MDL approved a settlement fund of more than $70 million on Sept. 2 for thousands of likely claimants in more than 178 separate lawsuits brought against Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. In Re: Serzone Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1477, No. 02-md-1477, (S.D. W.Va.).

Judge Joseph R. Goodwin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia said Oct. 1, 2004, has been established as the cut-off date for those who purchased Serzone (nefazodone hydrochloride) to opt out of the settlement. Judge Goodwin noted in approving the settlement that …