Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Plaintiffs' Counsel Comments on Settlement in Bextra Marketing, Sales Practices, and Product Liability Litigation

San Francisco, CA – Plaintiffs' counsel announced today that following three years of hard-fought litigation in Federal and State Court, and months of intensive negotiations with Pfizer, Inc., a settlement has been reached in the Coordinated Federal and State litigation arising out of Pfizer's sale and marketing of the since-withdrawn COX-2 inhibitor Bextra.

"The announcement of the settlement of injury and consumer claims is wonderful news for thousands of victims and their families," stated Plaintiffs' Liaison Counsel Elizabeth J. Cabraser of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. "We credit the steadfast and dedicated work of plaintiffs' counsel, notably the members of the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee; the exceptional case management and coordination of Judges Breyer, Kornreich, and Higbee, and Special Master Fern Smith, all of whom oversaw the litigation; and the good faith of Pfizer and its counsel, in reaching agreement on a fair and equitable settlement."

"The settlement provides fair compensation to patients who were prescribed Bextra and suffered adverse events," noted Jayne Conroy of Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher Hayes, LLP. "It permits claims to be resolved in an expeditious and fair manner without the risks inherent in further litigation."

"Today, the safety and rights of the American consumer are in jeopardy from the Bush Administration's push to provide legal immunity for corporations whose products may cause devastating injuries," observed Frank Pitre of Cochett, Pitre, & McCarthy "The settlement serves as another powerful example of how only through private litigation can ordinary Americans obtain compensation for injuries."

"The settlement will allow those with real injuries to obtain quick compensation," noted Tom Cartmell of Wagstaff & Cartmell, "after three years of hard litigation it will finally allow patients and their family to put the injuries caused by Bextra behind them."

Source | Contact:

Elizabeth J. Cabraser
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
415-956-1000

Jayne Conroy
Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher Hayes, LLP
212-784-6402