SEARCH

Mason v. Smithkline Beecham Corp.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

ARGUED OCTOBER 5, 2009

Before EVANS and SYKES, Circuit Judges, and SIMON, District Judge.

Twenty-three-year-old Tricia Mason committed suicide on March 2, 2003, two days after she started taking Paxil, a popular antidepressant. Her parents sued the manufacturer of the drug, the Smithkline Beecham Corporation, claiming it was negligent (among other things) for not warning that taking Paxil increases the risk of suicide, especially among young adults. The district court granted summary judgment for the company in 2008. The court concluded that the Masons’ claims were preempted under federal law because the warnings they say should have been included about Paxil conflicted with the FDA-approved warning labeling for the drug.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

General Counsel Conference Midwest: SuperConference 2025

April 08, 2025 - April 09, 2025
Chicago, IL

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies

Learn More

The National Law Journal Legal Awards 2024

October 24, 2024
Georgetown, Washington D.C.

The National Law Journal honors attorneys & judges who've made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in the D.C. area.

Learn More

New Jersey Legal Awards 2024

October 29, 2024
East Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey Law Journal honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in New Jersey with their dedication to the profession.

Learn More

Seattle, WA- Corporate Associate

With bold growth in recent years, Fox Rothschild brings together 1,000 attorneys coast to coast. We offer the reach and resources of a natio...

Apply Now ›

Technology Attorney (Remote)

About Us:Monjur.com is a leading provider of contracts-as-a-service for managed service providers, offering tailored solutions to streamline...

Apply Now ›

Litigation Associate

Dynamic Boutique law firm with offices in NYC, Westchester County and Dutchess County, is seeking a mid level litigation associate to work ...

Apply Now ›