October Term 2008 · Docket 06-1249
Can state tort laws override federal drug safety approvals?
Wyeth argues federal law blocks state tort claims. Levine argues state law allows injury suits.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Waxman argued the conflict between state and federal law is stark.
Kneedler argued state duties conflict with the FDA safety determination.
Frederick cited specific regulations to support the preemption argument.
Ginsburg questioned how benefits outweigh the risk of amputation.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Wyeth seeks dismissal of state tort claims. Levine seeks a damages award for injury.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 3, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
Wyeth wants the state tort claim dismissed.
Levine wants the state tort claim to proceed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
What each side says
Wyeth argues federal approval preempts state duties.
Levine argues state duties do not conflict with federal law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
What the justices asked
Roberts asked why the Drug Act lacks express preemption.
Souter asked if the FDA required the specific label text.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
Why it matters
This case defines the balance between federal drug regulation and state tort law. It determines whether injured patients can sue manufacturers under state law. It shapes the scope of federal preemption in product liability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 25-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.