MDL Judge Issues Order Streamlining Filing Process for Suboxone Film Lawsuits
The MDL judge issued Case Management Order (CMO No. 3) for the Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) Film Products Liability Litigation MDL. This order, agreed upon by all parties involved, outlines the process for directly filing and serving lawsuits related to Suboxone film within this multidistrict litigation (MDL).
The scope of CMO No. 3 includes cases transferred to the court by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, any related actions transferred or filed later, and cases initially filed in or moved to this court. It specifies that using the direct filing and service procedures does not waive any legal defenses that defendants may have.
Key points from the order include:
- Plaintiffs can file their Suboxone-related lawsuits directly in the Northern District of Ohio to be included in the MDL, aiming to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
- There is no obligation for a lawsuit to be filed directly into the MDL, although there is no reason not to direct file.
- Attorneys from anywhere in the U.S. can represent clients in this litigation without needing to file a motion or pay a fee for appearing pro hac vice in federal court in Ohio.
- All filed complaints must include specific information and comply with designated formatting, including stating the chosen venue for the lawsuit – where the suit would have been filed if there was not an MDL.
- The order facilitates easier service of process on defendants, with most agreeing to waive formal service requirements, streamlining the initiation of these cases.
