Summary
Becton Dickinson and Company (BDX) filed an 8-K on March 20, 2002, to disclose recent developments in product liability class action lawsuits. These lawsuits, filed by healthcare workers alleging needlestick injuries from conventional products without subsequent infection, have seen several key dismissals. Specifically, a case in Alabama (Daniels vs. Becton Dickinson et al.) was dismissed without prejudice on March 1, 2002. In Illinois, a petition for review to deny class certification in McCaster vs. Becton Dickinson et al. was denied on March 6, 2002. Also on March 6, 2002, the case of Pollak, Swartley vs. Becton Dickinson et al. in New Jersey was dismissed with prejudice, following a prior summary judgment in November 2001. The company states it continues to vigorously defend the remaining five class action lawsuits.
Key Highlights
- 1BDX disclosed recent legal developments in product liability class action lawsuits concerning alleged needlestick injuries.
- 2A class action lawsuit in Alabama (Daniels vs. Becton Dickinson et al.) was dismissed without prejudice on March 1, 2002.
- 3In Illinois, a plaintiff's petition for review to deny class certification in McCaster vs. Becton Dickinson et al. was denied on March 6, 2002.
- 4A New Jersey case (Pollak, Swartley vs. Becton Dickinson et al.) was dismissed with prejudice on March 6, 2002, following a prior summary judgment.
- 5These dismissals are significant as they reduce the number of active lawsuits against the company.
- 6BDX continues to actively defend the remaining five class action lawsuits.
- 7The alleged injuries do not involve the transmission of any disease.