FREE et al. v. ABBOTT LABORATORIES, INC., et al.
No. 99-391.
Argued March 27, 2000
Decided April 3, 2000
Daniel A. Small argued the cause for petitioners. With him on the briefs were Michael D. Hausfeld, Matthew F Pawa, Eric L. Olson, Daniel E. Gustafson, Howard J. Sedran, and Don Barrett.
Frank Cicero, Jr., argued the cause for respondents. With him on the brief were Craig A. Knot, Christopher Landau, and Max R. Shulman
Jane Bishop Johnson filed a brief for the State of Louisiana as amicus curiae urging reversal.
Briefs of amici curiae urging affirmance were filed for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States et al. by Evan M. Tager, Robin S. Conrad, and Donald D. Evans; for the Product Liability Advisory Council by John H. Beisner; and for the Securities Industry Association by Stuart J. Kaswell.
Per Curiam.
The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.
Justice O’Connor took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
case did not arise on cert or cert not granted federal court conflict federal court conflict and to resolve important or significant question putative conflict conflict between federal court and state court state court conflict federal court confusion or uncertainty state court confusion or uncertainty federal court and state court confusion or uncertainty to resolve important or significant question to resolve question presented no reason given other reason