MDL Judge Appoints Special Master to Mediate Yaz/Yasmin Cases

In an order filed on December 31, 2011 the federal judge presiding over the Yaz/Yasmin MDL litigation, officially delayed the start of the first bellwether trial slated to begin next Monday, January 9, 2012. Judge Herndon, who had indicated in the fall that he would press for settlement of these lawsuits, has ordered the parties to begin settlement negotiations with a special master, Stephen Saltzburg. The special master is a neutral third-party charged with overseeing settlement discussions and mediations between the parties.

Stephen Saltzburg, law professor at George Washington School of Law, handled the mediation of approximately 26,000 Seroquel lawsuits over the last several years.

Judge Herndon's order indicates that he thinks the plaintiffs and defendants in this litigation would be best served by attempting to settle these cases now rather than move forward with the first bellwether trial. Herndon has ordered both sides to meet with the Special Master "without delay" and to negotiate in "good faith."