More than 20 Opt-Out Claimants Allowed in $70 Million Serzone Settlement

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The federal judge overseeing the Serzone MDL recently granted 26 claimants' motions to withdraw their opt out declarations and to participate in the recent $70 million settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. In re: Serzone Products Liability Litigation. MDL No. 1477. Case No. 2:02-md-01477 (S.D. W.Va.).

Oct. 1, 2004, was established as the cut-off date for those who purchased the Serzone (nefazodone hydrochloride) antidepressant and wished to opt out of the settlement, Judge Joseph R. Goodwin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia said. In his Sept. 2 order approving the settlement, he …