Frank M. Petosa Named to Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in Lipitor MDL

Morgan & Morgan is proud to announce that attorney Frank M. Petosa of the firm’s complex litigation group was selected as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) in the Lipitor multidistrict litigation (MDL).

More than 450 cases are currently pending in the MDL, with plaintiffs alleging that Pfizer Inc. failed to adequately warn women that taking the company’s cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor could increase their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

“Instead of warning doctors that Lipitor could cause patients to develop type 2 diabetes, Pfizer heavily promoted Lipitor as a safe and effective way for women to lower their cholesterol,” Mr. Petosa said. “As a result, women who have developed type 2 diabetes after taking Lipitor have filed lawsuits across the country from Florida to California.”

In February, the Lipitor lawsuits were consolidated to the U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, with the Honorable Judge Richard M. Gergel overseeing the litigation. On April 8, 2014, Judge Gergel appointed attorneys for various leadership roles in the MDL.

As a member of the PSC, Mr. Petosa will work to obtain relevant documents, interview witnesses, schedule counsel meetings, and issue discovery requests, motions or subpoenas. In addition, the PSC will be responsible for presenting the plaintiffs’ position to the court and defendants and managing any stipulations or settlement agreements that may arise before trial.

“The Lipitor MDL will streamline and expedite the legal process for women alleging injury as a result of taking Lipitor and the PSC will fight to ensure that they receive the justice they deserve,” Mr. Petosa said. “I look forward to working with other members of the PSC to hold Pfizer accountable for its conduct and responsible for women who have developed type 2 diabetes from taking Lipitor.”

Mr. Petosa has previously been an active member of the PSC in the Chinese Drywall MDL and Denture Cream MDL. He has also worked closely with the PSC in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill MDL as a Co-Coordinator of the Economic Damages Work Group and a Member of the Phase 2 Trial Team.