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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

GlaxoSmithKline

Tobin v. SmithKline Beecham (Paxil Wrongful Death)

Date: 06/06/2001 (Date of Verdict)

Misconduct Type: Health

Enforcement Agency: Non-Governmental

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Civil

Amount: $6,400,000

Disposition: Judgment Against Defendant

Synopsis: The relatives of Donald Schell, who killed his family and himself in February 1998, blamed his actions on his use of the anti-depression drug Paxil and filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer, SmithKline Beecham (n/k/a GlaxoSmithKline). A jury found in plaintiffs’ favor and awarded a total of $8 million in damages, for which GSK was held 80 percent responsible. Later, during GSK’s appeal, the parties reached a confidential settlement of the case.