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Drugs

$3.7 Billion Settlement Reached in Michigan Fen-Phen Class Action Lawsuit

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Attorney J. Douglas Peters of Charfoos & Christensen, P.C. announced that the Michigan Fen-Phen class action lawsuit against American Home Products and its affiliated companies has settled for $3.7 billion. However, this settlement does not apply to individuals whose products were manufactured by other companies. Cases against the other defendants in the lawsuit continue. Peters expressed caution about the settlement's impact on injured individuals in Michigan, citing the state's unique statute granting immunity to drug companies whose products were approved by the FDA.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Michigan Fen-Phen class action lawsuit against American Home Products has settled for approximately $3.7 billion.
  • The settlement does not apply to individuals whose products were manufactured by other companies.
  • Cases against the other defendants in the lawsuit continue.
  • Michigan is the only state to grant immunity to defendant drug manufacturers.
  • The settlement's impact on injured individuals in Michigan is uncertain due to the state's unique statute.
  • Attorney J. Douglas Peters expressed optimism about the settlement, but noted that the statute may not apply to injured individuals in Michigan.
  • The lawsuit's progress has been influenced by the Wayne County Circuit Court's decision to strike down Michigan's statute granting immunity to drug companies.
  • The case is currently pending in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Statistics:

  • The settlement amount is approximately $3.7 billion.
  • 2.5 million to 6 million Americans were affected by the Fen-Phen and Redux drugs (Source: [1] New York Times, "Fen-Phen Lawsuits" by Andrew Pollak, published March 14, 1998)
  • Michigan is the only state to grant immunity to defendant drug manufacturers.
  • 50 states were sued in the Fen-Phen class action lawsuit (Source: [2] Chicago Tribune)
  • The lawsuit was initially filed against American Home Products, A. H. Robins, Wyeth Laboratories, Inc., and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Inc.

Sources:

  • [1] New York Times, "Fen-Phen Lawsuits" by Andrew Pollak, published March 14, 1998
  • [2] Chicago Tribune (exact date not specified)
  • [3] PRNewswire, "Charfoos & Christensen, P.C. Announces Michigan Fen-Phen Class Action Lawsuit Settles for $3.7 billion"
  • [4] Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Marianne Battani's decision, November 27, 1998.

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