Mississippi Supreme Court Strikes Down Joinder of Drug Claims

JACKSON, Miss. - In a ruling that justices said could have far-reaching implications for complex products liability cases, the Mississippi Supreme Court has severed a multi-party pharmaceutical injury case after determining that the claims were improperly joined under Rule 20, HarrisMartin Publishing is reporting. Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc., et al. v. Armond, et al., No. 2003-IA-00398-SCT (Miss. Sup. Ct.).

The state high court ruled just hours ago that the personal injury claims of 56 different patients who alleged injury caused by the drug Propulsid, did not arise out of the same transaction, occurrence or series of transactions or occurrences, and …