Did you ever read something and think – I couldn’t have said it better myself. Sometimes we read opinions that give us just that feeling. A decision that ticks all of the boxes and leaves us wondering why everybody doesn’t see how easy it is to reach the right conclusion. Brooks v. Mentor Worldwide, LLC
Manufacturing Defect
Lack of Personal Jurisdiction and Dearth of Plausible Claims Doom District of Arizona Infuse/Spinal Fusion Device Case
We were in western Tennessee last week for an argument. We stayed at a beautiful and venerable hotel, most famous for twice-daily “march of the ducks.” Every morning, at 11 a.m. sharp (at least 30 minutes after guests have packed the lobby), an elevator door opens, and a uniformed “duck master” leads a perfect procession…
Court Tosses Cookie Cutter Allegations
One size does not in fact fit all. Cookie cutters are great for ensuring uniformity. The type of uniformity you want on a beautiful dessert tray. Uniform size, shape, and color appeal to the eye. It’s precise. It’s inviting. And while the term “mass tort” may conjure up the image of complaint after complaint stamped…
C.D. Illinois Rejects Spoliation Claim for Lack of Special Relationship
Last week, we found ourselves focusing on spoliation issues in two different cases, one at the front-end (an early case assessment) and one at the back-end (haggling over jury instructions). The Actos spoliation saga has made any sentient defendant antsy about these things. Thus, it is worthwhile to discuss Moore v. Abiomed, Inc., 20…
Mixed Treatment Of Clinical Trial Liability On Summary Judgment
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A jack of all trades is a master of none. These cutesy little phrases throw some derision toward one who possesses some knowledge in a bunch of areas. Representing drug and device companies in litigation can make a lawyer reject the negative interpretation of these phrases. We have…
Hip Hip Hurray for D.Utah Rulings in Hip Implant Case
Silicone Implant Defendants Prevail on Fraudulent Joinder and Preemption
Offhand, we cannot think of opinions we have blogged on that pleased us more than today’s cases, Jacob v. Mentor Worldwide, LLC, et al., 2019 WL 3500325 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 1, 2019) and Vieira v. Mentor Worldwide, LLC, et al., 2019 WL 3500331 (Aug. 1, 2019). The two decisions are virtually identical and…
How To Get an Answer to a Legal Question – Certify It
Heck No, FDCA Violations Can’t Be Inferred Merely From Product Malfunctions
We recently commented on Sumpter v. Allergan, Inc., 2018 WL 4335519 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 11, 2018), for several reasons – all bad – but one stands out, the ruling that used what’s essentially res ipsa loquitur to wave plaintiff through PMA preemption with a manufacturing defect. According to Sumpter:
Plaintiffs allege that, due
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E.D. Missouri Saves Manufacturing Defect Claim; Sacrifices Good Sense
We’ll get to today’s case in a moment, but first, a few words about SCOTUS and expiration dates.
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