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Recent Case Law Developments: Product Defect Claimed in Atkins Case; Burden of Removal under CAFA

By Michael Hoenig
April 26, 2007

This article discusses two interesting developments in recently published decisions. The Gorran case involves litigation over allegedly harmful consequences of following the well-known 'Atkins' Diet.' As will be seen, an attempt to structure the claim within product liability doctrine posed a big challenge. The Blockbuster decision answers a key question in light of new federal legislation, popularly called 'CAFA' (Class Action Fairness Act of 2005), which was intended to enhance removal of certain class actions from state to federal courts. The question is, who has the burden of proving CAFA's jurisdictional requirements: the defendant trying to stay in federal court or the plaintiff trying to send the case back to state court?

Gorran v. Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

If a person who goes on the 'Atkins Diet,' a popular, low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein regimen, develops adverse consequences such as high cholesterol and a clogged coronary artery requiring surgical intervention, may he or she sue the authors and marketers of the Atkins Diet for product liability, negligent misrepresentation, and deceptive conduct under a deceptive trade practice statute?

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