Federal Court Overturns $4 Million Judgment Against Metabolife 31782

Federal Court Overturns $4 Million Judgment Against Metabolife

BIRMINGHAM,Ala.The U.S.Courtof Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed a $4.1 million judgment against SanDiego-based Metabolife International. In its decision, the court noted theplaintiffs scientific testimony did not support the claims that Metabolifes356 ephedra-based dietary supplement had caused injuries to the four peopleinvolved 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 writtenbriefs from attorneys for both sides of the case as well as review of testimonyfrom the original trial. In its opinion, the court concluded, Plaintiffsexperts took leaps of faith and substituted their own ipsedixit for scientific proof on essential points,

meaning the assertions were not proven. In an interview withthe San Diego Union Tribune,Jan Strode, a spokeswoman for Metabolife, said the company was pleased with thedecision. It is Metabolifes belief that the justice system will have, andcontinues to have, the opportunity to prevail.