Toxics Law Reporter Index-Summary

PACKAGING AND LABELING

– Botox, off-label use, child's overdose death, warning adequate (Cal. Super. Ct.), 210
– BPA

– Cement burns, home owner's failure to warn claims (E.D.N.Y.), 162
– Diacetyl, microwave popcorn purchasers, overbroad class (C.D. Cal.), 913
– Fentanyl pain patch, Utah immunity exception not barred (D. Utah), 969
– Fiberglass storage tank, negligent manufacture, caustic soda burn (8th Cir.), 92
– Food, trans fat count rounded down, state claims barred (C.D. Cal.), 1209
– Fosamax, femur fracture risk, updated label planned, 1102
– Lamisil, skin disease, Tex. labeling claim not barred (D.N.J.), 944
– Metoclopramide and tardive dyskinesia

See METOCLOPRAMIDE

– Motrin, preemption, adequacy presumption, fraud (N.D. Tex.), 97
– Neurontin, off-label marketing, class decertified (Pa. Super. Ct.), 71
– Pain pump with catheter kit, disregarded label not foreseeable (E.D. Mich.), 1099
– Prostate cancer, GnRH drug labels to include risks, 1132
– Prozac equivalent, suicide, warning claims not barred (C.D. Cal.), 320
– Superfund, packaging maker Smurfit-Stone settles claims for six sites (Bankr. D. Del.), 1161
– Trasylol, expert's regulatory testimony excluded (S.D. Fla.), 1158
– Tuna, mercury poisoning, warning claims not barred (D.N.J.), 370
– Tylenol, failure to warn claims for over-the-counter drugs (U.S., rev sought), 1278

PAINTS AND COATINGS

– CAA, paint plant owners charged under General Duty Clause (D. Mass.), 837
– Contribution, adjacent site claims not barred (9th Cir.), 973
– Fumes, duty to indemnify, pollution exclusion clause (D.S.C.), 56
– Lead paint

See LEAD

– Skin reaction, chemical sensitivity proof rejected (Kan.), 1123
– Soil pollution, Sensient Colors, Camden plant cleanup settled (D.N.J.), 561

PAPER MILLS

– Chemical emissions, class certification denied (M.D. Ala.), 1155

PARTICULATES

– Clean Air Act (CAA)

– – Cal. beef feedlots, EPA final action proposed (N.D. Cal.), 679
– – Coarse particulates, five states' compliance questioned (N.D. Cal.), 432
– – Fine particle measurement, end to surrogate policy proposed, 145
– – Hot spots of particulate matter, EPA rule challenged (D.C. Cir.), 566

– RCRA, masonry block from aircraft particles, rule clarification (U.S., rev sought), 430; (rev den), 563
– Steelmaker to cut emissions at Ill. plant, 732
– Trespass, coal-fired liquor distillery (W.D. Ky.), 69

PAXIL

– Pregnancy, use during

– – Birth defects, 200 suits settled (Pa. Ct. Comm. Pls.), 642; majority of cases settled, 725
– – Fraudulent joinder ruling in birth defects suit (E.D. Ky.), 912
– – Infant's death, suit not time-barred (S.D. Ohio), 374

– Suicide

– – Learned intermediary doctrine, suit properly dismissed (11th Cir.), 209
– – Preemption ruling vacated in light of Wyeth v. Levine (10th Cir.), 545
– – Priest, warning claims proceed to trial (S.D. Ind.), 346
– – Wrongful death appeal untimely (10th Cir.), 424; rehearing sought, 486

PCBs

See POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)

PCE

See PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PCE)

PENALTIES

– Aluminum firm, 16 sites, 103
– CAA, Allegheny Ludlum, steel plant fined (W.D. Pa.), 493
– Clean Water Act (CWA)

– – Nustar Pipeline fined for not maintaining spill plans (D. Neb.), 263
– – Storm water discharge permit (8th Cir.), 11

– Oil, Coast Guard ups liability limits, 33
– 2009 fines and corrective measures secured announced by DOJ, 407

PENNSYLVANIA

– Adderall, heart attack, Ga. resident may bring warning suit in Pa. (Pa. Super. Ct.), 287
– Asbestos

– – Occupational exposure suits allowed when other causes of harm exist (Pa.), 774
– – Railroad workers' strict liability laws, preemption (Pa. Super. Ct.), 22

– CAA, Allegheny Ludlum, steel plant fined (W.D. Pa.), 493
– Coal, state revokes Erie Coke's air permit, 526; settlement reached (Pa. Commw. Ct.), 623
– CWA, RRI Energy, suit planned over coal ash and refuse disposal, 526
– Global warming, Penn. State Univ. scientist cleared of research misconduct charges, 684
– HRT and cancer risk

– – Notice, jury to decide timing (Pa. Super. Ct.), 942
– – Provera, limitations period (Pa. Super. Ct.), 51

– Mineral wool facility, conduct of state enforcement workers, award (E.D. Pa.), 244
– Neurontin, off-label marketing, class decertified (Pa. Super. Ct.), 71
– Paxil use during pregnancy, birth defects, 200 suits settled (Pa. Ct. Comm. Pls.), 642; majority of cases settled, 725
– Redux

– – Negligent design defect claim (Pa. Super. Ct.), 799
– – Wyeth not liable for heart condition plaintiff did not develop (Pa. Super. Ct.), 775

– Superfund

– – Boarhead Farms, §113(f)(2) protection limits party to §113(f) claim (3d Cir.), 375; payment rule, incurring cleanup costs (U.S., rev sought), 921; (rev den), 1246
– – Indemnification pact, hazardous waste claims (W.D. Pa.), 101
– – Landfill cleanup, recovery claim time-barred (W.D. Pa.), 1185
– – Radioactive byproduct releases, state-initiated cleanup (M.D. Pa.), 120
– – State immunity to third party complaint not waived by filing cost recovery suit (M.D. Pa.), 674

– USTs, gas stations, Monroe County, compliance failure (M.D. Pa.), 102
– Vinyl chloride from chemical plant, class not certified (E.D. Pa.), 232

PERCHLORATE

– Drinking water, noncompliance with Natl. Contingency Plan (9th Cir.), 801; (U.S., rev den), 1247

PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PCE)

– Dry cleaning machine makers not liable for waste water disposal (E.D. Cal.), 259
– Insurance, extrinsic evidence relevant to defense duty (D. Mass.), 350
– Motion picture worker, skin rash, fraudulent concealment (Cal. Ct. App.), 93
– Nuisance, contamination migration does not affect public (Vt.), 794
– RCRA, state order does not bar suit if EPA retains authority (M.D. Tenn.), 322
– Superfund

– – Cost recovery denied party reimbursing state (E.D.N.Y.), 290
– – Fiduciary exemption protects trustee/cleanup contractor (N.D. Cal.), 1074
– – Recycling machine, manufacturer not liable as arranger (E.D. Cal.), 833

– Vapor intrusion, interim guidance planned by EPA, 381

PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID (PFOA)

– Drinking water, RCRA citizens' suit, EPA consent order (S.D. Ohio), 918
– N.J. nuisance law, class certification (3d Cir.), 4

PERU

– Amazon waterway, Cal. proper forum to sue Occidental Petroleum (9th Cir.), 1273

PESTICIDES

– Aquatic pesticides, EPA issues draft permit, 570
– California

– – Drift, common law damages suit not barred (Cal. Ct. App.), 1331
– – Prevention of farm worker exposure, law cleared, 971; signed, 1002

– Clean Water Act (CWA)

– – Permit requirements, EPA exemptions vacated (U.S., rev den), 167; EPA developing legal protection for applicators, 192; safety concerns over proposed permits raised, 245; OMB reviews EPA proposal, 471
– – Spraying for N.Y. county, point sources (2d Cir.), 323

– Dursban

– – Cerebral palsy link, causation not shown (8th Cir.), 1305
– – Exterminator's lymphoma claim, expert unreliable (W.D. Pa.), 235

– FIFRA

– – Blueberry farmers' claims against pesticide maker not barred (3d Cir.), 822
– – Dairy farmers may not sue over pesticide drift (8th Cir.), 542
– – Spray drift suit against EPA time-barred (D.D.C.), 1153
– – United Farm Workers, jurisdiction (9th Cir.), 102

– Fungicide Benlate, new trials ordered for Costa Rican farmers (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), 1275
– Herbicides

– – Atrazine in drinking water, suit filed against agribusiness firm Syngenta (S.D. Ill.), 208
– – Dioxin and furan waste, cancer claims remanded (S.D.W. Va.), 1027
– – DuPont's Oust, crop damage from drift, award for farmers (D. Idaho), 518
– – Negligence, crop loss, breach of duty and causation not shown (7th Cir.), 1234
– – Pollution exclusion, neighboring crop damage not covered (8th Cir.), 976

– Landfill, Tewksbury, Mass., cleanup plan (D. Mass.), 10
– Nicaraguan workers' case, witness tampering (Cal. Super. Ct.), 722
– RCRA

– – Fort Madison, Iowa., violations settled, 1079
– – Unauthorized storage, fine (W.D. Mo.), 292

PETROLEUM

See OIL AND GAS

PFOA

See PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID (PFOA)

PHARMACEUTICALS

– Accutane

See ACCUTANE

– Adderall, heart attack, Ga. resident may bring warning suit in Pa. (Pa. Super. Ct.), 287
– Animals

– – Heartworm medication for dogs, no injury (1st Cir.), 546
– – Horse antibiotic. family's ailments. doctor not expert (N.M. Ct. App.), 1098
– – Veterinary insulin, pet's death, negligence (N.D. Ohio), 8

– Antibiotics, manufacturer abandoned chemicals, guilty plea (Md. Cir. Ct.), 645
– Avandia

See AVANDIA

– Baycol

See BAYCOL

– Bone loss drugs and osteonecrosis

– – Aredia

See AREDIA

– – Fosamax

See FOSAMAX

– – Zometa

See ZOMETA

– Botox

See BOTOX

– Ciprofloxacin and tendon injury, claim against Bayer may proceed (W.D. La.), 400
– Contraceptives, malpractice and product liability claims not severed (N.D. Okla.), 1213
– Cymbalta and suicide risk, warning claim proceeds (D.S.D.), 1069; learned intermediary doctrine adopted, 1128
– Darvocet link to heart attacks, class suit filed (E.D. La.), 1342
– Defenses, learned intermediary doctrine, Insight, 503
– Diet drugs

See DIET DRUGS

– Digitek

– – Recall, economic loss (S.D.W. Va.), 98; class certification denied, 592
– – Wrongful death, elder care facility properly joined (S.D. Ga.), 970

– Duract, liver disease, unjust enrichment from third-party payers, class decertified (Ala.), 135
– Duragesic patch, wrongful death, defect finding upheld (Tex. Ct. App.), 318
– Effexor and suicide

– – Preemption, insufficient warning claims (E.D. Pa.), 911
– – Ruling vacated in light of Wyeth v. Levine (10th Cir.), 545

– Fentanyl patch with lethal dose

– – Doctor would have prescribed patch even with warning (S.D. Ohio), 1340
– – Marketing claims not covered by Okla. law (S.D.W. Va.), 551
– – Utah punitive immunity exception not barred (D. Utah), 969
– – Wrongful death suit may proceed (E.D. Mo.), 401

– Fosamax

See FOSAMAX

– Generic drugs

See GENERIC DRUGS

– GHB in toy aqua dots, refunds beat class suit (N.D. Ill.), 1070
– GnRH drugs for prostate cancer, labels to include risks, 1132
– Heparin reaction, strict liability claim proceeds (D.N.J.), 1277
– HRT

See HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)

– Humira, lymphoma link, warning claim may proceed (N.D. Cal.), 618
– Intravenous pumps

See MEDICAL DEVICES

– Lamisil, skin disease, Tex. labeling claim not barred (D.N.J.), 944
– Levaquin and tendons

– – Injury, learned intermediary doctrine does not bar suit (D. Minn.), 777
– – Rupture, petitions to FDA admissible (D. Minn.), 1212; jury finds for plaintiff, 1308

– Methylene chloride exposure at drug plant, fine proposed, 647
– Metoclopramide and tardive dyskinesia

See METOCLOPRAMIDE

– Metroprolol for blood pressure, preemption (E.D. Mo.), 25
– Mirapex

– – Compulsive behavior, expert testimony did not show link (8th Cir.), 1336
– – Gambling claim, time-bar (D. Minn.), 913

– Motrin

– – Blinded girl's suit, defense verdict upheld (Cal. Ct. App.), 1158
– – Contributory negligence ruling affirmed (7th Cir.), 823
– – Labeling, preemption, adequacy presumption, fraud (N.D. Tex.), 97
– – Skin and liver injuries, Me. law governs damages claim (E.D. Pa.), 778

– Neurontin

See NEURONTIN

– Off-label promotion of 12 drugs, putative class suit dismissed (E.D. Pa.), 747
– Oxycontin, N.Y. suit excludes nonresidents (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), 998
– Pain pumps

See MEDICAL DEVICES

– Paxil

See PAXIL

– Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), neurological causation testimony unreliable (Iowa), 159
– Phenytoin sodium, skin reaction, negligence claims may proceed (S.D. Miss.), 1031
– Pitocin, malpractice defendant need not testify as expert (8th Cir.), 829
– Propofol, hepatitis C outbreak from reused syringes, award (Nev. Dist. Ct.), 455
– RCRA, pharmaceutical waste in N.Y. drinking water, 59
– Seroquel

See SEROQUEL

– Steroid in dietary supplement P-Drol, permanent liver damage alleged (Tex. Dist. Ct.), 137
– Sulindac, blindness, design defect claim to proceed (D.N.H.), 749; jury award, 943
– Trasylol

– – Cases structured to avoid CAFA remanded to state court (7th Cir.), 662
– – Expert's regulatory testimony excluded (S.D. Fla.), 1158

– Trovan clinical trials and meningitis, Nigerian families may sue Pfizer (U.S., rev den), 663
– Tylenol

– – Failure to warn claims for over-the-counter drugs (U.S., rev sought), 1278
– – Liver cirrhosis, scientific evidence (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), 96

– Vaccines

See VACCINES

– Viagra and stroke, causation evidence lacking (E.D. La.), 456
– Vioxx

See VIOXX

– Yasmin contraceptive, joinder of distributor (N.D. Cal.), 75
– Zicam and loss of smell, expert wrongly excluded (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), 1337
– Zyprexa

See ZYPREXA

PHOSPHORUS

– CWA, Everglades cleanup or contempt charges for agency heads (S.D. Fla.), 378; EPA court appearance stayed (11th Cir.), 1038; court appearance order overturned, 1163
– Fertilizer site, cleanup to be expanded (D. Idaho), 952

PHOTOGRAPHY INDUSTRY

– Sodium dichromate, x-ray machine technician's lung cancer claim (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), 134

PLASTICS

– BPA

See BISPHENOL-A (BPA)

– CAA, styrene, plastics manufacturer settles charges (N.D. Ohio), 864
– Cal. Senate rejects plastic bag ban, 915

PLEADINGS

– Hexavalent chromium, emotional distress, particularity (N.D. Cal.), 94
– Pain pump injuries, post-shoulder surgery, claimants failed to specify manufacturers (C.D. Cal.), 345

POLLUTION EXCLUSION CLAUSES

– Asbestos, Ohio law favors exclusion over related policy (6th Cir.), 494
– Chinese drywall, exclusion clause no bar to coverage (E.D. La.), 1349
– Contract suit, insurer delay, legal fees (Mich. Ct. App.), 95
– Dust damages barred against construction firm (3d Cir.), 597
– Fill material discharge into river, coverage barred (10th Cir.), 1161
– Herbicides, neighboring crop damage not covered (8th Cir.), 976
– Kan., ammonia used as fertilizer considered pollutant (10th Cir.), 1348
– Lead

– – Fla., exclusions bar claims even if insured did not cause pollution (11th Cir.), 706
– – Smelter, lead may not be “pollutant” in insurance policies (E.D. Mo.), 431

– Migration potential does not bar “owned property” exclusion (9th Cir.), 189
– Oil and gas

– – Ind., gas need not be listed to bar coverage (7th Cir.), 291
– – Leased land, cleanup cost recovery barred (5th Cir.), 1217
– – Natural gas exposure, injuries to third parties covered (Ga. Ct. App.), 495

– Paint fumes, duty to indemnify (D.S.C.), 56
– Roofing materials, clause inapplicable to injury claim (E.D. Va.), 1349
– Sludge used as fertilizer, coverage barred (D. Me.), 1218
– Small chance pollution coverage triggers duty to defend (D.R.I.), 430

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)

– Food, Portland Harbor, Or., fish may pose health risk, 525
– Fox River, Wis., paper firms sued to force cleanup (D. Wis.), 1107; settlement, 1283
– Hudson River cleanup, 84; peer review reports submitted, 215; EPA to fund water source during dredging, 405; phase one dredging report, 443; GE argues §106 order violates due process (D.C. Cir.), 491; challenge denied, 673; resuspension standards, panel wants changes, 834; additional dredging planned, 951; GE reverse bifurcation motion denied (N.D.N.Y.), 1106; GE begins Phase 2 of cleanup, 1346
– Landfills

– – Tewksbury, Mass., cleanup plan (D. Mass.), 10
– – TSCA, elevated PCB levels, settlement, 1286

POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTIES (PRPs)

See CONTRIBUTION

PREEMPTION

– Asbestos and railroads

– – Locomotive law bars widow's suit (3d Cir.), 940
– – Workers' strict liability laws (Pa. Super. Ct.), 22

– Clean Air Act (CAA)

– – Cal. diesel emission rules barred (9th Cir.), 977
– – Nonroad engines, rules challenge untimely (U.S., rev den), 1036

– Climate change, greenhouse gas regulation, state officials oppose bar, 357; state trading programs barred in draft bill, 499; bill would not bar all state programs, 501
– Coal ash spill, discretionary function doctrine does not bar maintenance suit against TVA (E.D. Tenn.), 284
– Fentanyl pain patch, Utah immunity exception not barred (D. Utah), 969
– FIFRA does not bar blueberry farmers' claims against pesticide maker (3d Cir.), 822
– Food, trans fat count rounded down, state claims barred (C.D. Cal.), 1209
– Hexavalent chromium in Iraqi water plant, FTCA does not bar veterans' claims (D. Or.), 906
– HRT, Mich. fraud exception not barred (E.D. Pa.), 1071
– Lamisil, skin disease, Tex. labeling claim not barred (D.N.J.), 944
– Mercury in canned tuna, warning claims not barred (D.N.J.), 370
– Metoclopramide and tardive dyskinesia

See METOCLOPRAMIDE

– Metroprolol for blood pressure (E.D. Mo.), 25
– Minocycline, teen's vision loss claims not barred (M.D. Ga.), 237
– Motrin, labeling, adequacy presumption, fraud (N.D. Tex.), 97
– Oil and gas

– – Cal., low-carbon fuel standard, case to proceed (E.D. Cal.), 625
– – Spills, Buzzards Bay, parts of Mass. law barred (D. Mass.), 351

– Ozone laundry system, brain damage, suits not barred by workers' comp ruling (Utah), 520
– Pain pump malfunction, claims preempted (S.D.W. Va.), 1279
– Pesticide drift, common law damages suit not barred (Cal. Ct. App.), 1331
– Radiation emission from cell phones, suit barred (3d Cir,), 1124
– Redux, state negligence claims not barred (6th Cir.), 881; en banc hearing denied, 1098
– Regulatory compliance defense, Insight, 473
– State superfund case no bar to tort suit (9th Cir.), 1152
– Suicide risks

– – Effexor and Paxil, rulings vacated in light of Wyeth v. Levine (10th Cir.), 320
– – Effexor, insufficient warning claims (E.D. Pa.), 911
– – Prozac equivalent, warning claims not barred (C.D. Cal.), 320

– Tobacco marketing, unjust enrichment (N.D. Ill.), 73
– Tylenol, failure to warn claims for over-the-counter drugs (U.S., rev sought), 1278
– Vaccines, design defect claims against manufacturers preempted (U.S., rev grant), 209; (briefs filed), 552; (amicus briefs filed), 590; respondent's case (brief filed), 748; (amicus briefs filed), 825; (oral arg), 1064
– Wellbutrin generic, effectiveness, claims not barred (E.D. Pa.), 549; interlocutory appeal filed, 619; plaintiffs oppose appeal, 642

PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

– Contraceptives, malpractice and product liability claims not severed (N.D. Okla.), 1213
– Paxil, use during pregnancy

– Pesticide DBCP, witness tampering in Nicaraguan workers' case (Cal. Super. Ct.), 722
– Pitocin, malpractice defendant need not testify as expert (8th Cir.), 829

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

See PHARMACEUTICALS

PRESUMPTIONS

– Motrin, labeling, preemption, adequacy, fraud exception (N.D. Tex.), 97

PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS

See ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE

PROCEDURE

– Appeals

See APPEALS

– Choice of law, Cal. resident exposed to asbestos at Okla. refinery (Cal.), 158
– Class actions

See CLASS ACTIONS

– Damages

See DAMAGES

– Defenses

See DEFENSES

– Due process

See DUE PROCESS

– Evidence

See EVIDENCE

– Expert witnesses

See EXPERT WITNESSES

– Foreseeability of injury fact question in negligence cases (Neb.), 883
– Intervention

See INTERVENTION

– Joinder

See JOINDER

– Juries

See JURY TRIALS

– Jurisdiction

See JURISDICTION

– Limitations periods

See STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS; STATUTES OF REPOSE

– Litigation financing by third-party investors, Special Report, 269
– Pleadings

See PLEADINGS

– Preemption

See PREEMPTION

– Res judicata

See RES JUDICATA

– Retrial denied for air traffic controllers exposed to sealant fumes (Cal. Ct. App.), 254
– Settlements

See SETTLEMENTS

– Standing

See STANDING

PRODUCT SAFETY AND LIABILITY

– Asbestos

See ASBESTOS

– BPA, website for parents, 54
– Defenses

– – Learned intermediary doctrine, Insight, 503
– – Prospective purchaser defense and liability protection, Special Report, 1357

– Drugs, generic

See GENERIC DRUGS

– FDA proposals, impact on product liability suits, Insight, 766
– Imports

– – CPSC inspectors posted at U.S. ports of entry, Insight, 787
– – Dangerous products, House panel hearing held, 620

– Industrial hose fitter not manufacturer under La. law (M.D. La.), 1130; correction, 1245
– Medical devices

See MEDICAL DEVICES

– Mold, stucco maker must indemnify installer (Tex.), 882
– Nanotechnology claims, Insight, 1196
– Recalls

See RECALLS

– Regulation by states, agencies, and foreign countries, Insight, 1015
– Salmonella, eggs, purchaser class suit filed (N.D. Ill.), 970
– Scientific evidence, challenging peer-reviewed articles, Insight, 651
– Tobacco

See TOBACCO INDUSTRY

– 2009 developments discussed at conference, 139
– Wis., resistance of state court to adopt tort restatement, Insight, 812

PRPs (POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTIES)

See CONTRIBUTION

PUERTO RICO

– HRT, short-term use testimony admissible (D.P.R.), 1308
– USTs, RCRA liability transfer bar inapplicable to civil suits (D.P.R.), 729