Pills A Missoula, Montana jury awarded $3.2 million to Peggy L. Stevens who was suing Novartis Pharmaceuticals, alleging that they should have disclosed health risks associated with the bone-strengthening drug called Zometa.

Stevens claims that the company knew patients taking Zometa were at risk to develop a degenerative jaw disorder called osteonecrosis which can result in pain, loosening of teeth, exposed bone and infection.

The jury awarded Stevens $822,000 in lost income with the rest of the award intended to compensate Stevens for pain, emotional suffering and alteration to her normal course of life.

Terry Trieweiler, the Montana Injury Attorney representing Stevens is quoted as saying, “I think it will have a huge significance,” when asked how he thought this verdict would effect the approximately 550 plaintiffs whose cases have been consolidated in a Tennessee federal court and a New Jersey state court.