An October 12 Legal Pulse post, Jury Piles Punitive Damages on Drug Maker for Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice, discussed two breathtaking punitive damage awards imposed by Las Vegas, Nevada juries on Teva and Baxter Healthcare for infection-related injuries caused directly by physician malpractice. The first two punitive damage awards were $500 million and $162.5 million.
Yesterday, the jury in a third case which earlier this week had found Teva and Baxter liable for failing to do more to stop physicians from re-using an anesthetic which was clearly labeled SINGLE USE, imposed punitive damages of $90 million. Blommberg has a complete report of the verdict here.