Federal Court Overturns $4 Million Judgment Against Metabolife

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed a $4.1 million judgment against San Diego-based Metabolife International. In its decision, the court noted the plaintiffs' scientific testimony did not support the claims that Metabolife's 356 ephedra-based dietary supplement had caused injuries to the four people involved in the original case (McClain v. Metabolife). The decision remands the case back to the district court.

The circuit court judges based their conclusion on written briefs from attorneys for both sides of the case as well as review of testimony from the original trial. In its opinion, the court concluded, "Plaintiffs' experts took leaps of faith and substituted their own ipse dixit for scientific proof on essential points," meaning the assertions were not proven.

In an interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, Jan Strode, a spokeswoman for Metabolife, said the company was pleased with the decision. "It is Metabolife's belief that the justice system will have, and continues to have, the opportunity to prevail."