In Re Breast Implant Product Liability Litigation

TOAL, Acting Chief Justice:

We granted a writ of certiorari to review certain questions pertaining to the liability of health care providers (“Healthcare Defendants”) for use of medical devices, such as breast implants.

Factual/Procedural Background

In August 1993, Chief Justice David W. Harwell assigned Judge Henry F. Floyd to dispose of all pre-trial motions and other matters arising out of the breast implant litigation then pending, and to be subsequently filed, in this state’s court system. In April 1995, Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. issued an order granting permission to Judge Floyd…