SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 20, 2002
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BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 001-4802 22-0760120
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(State or other juris- (Commission (IRS Employer Iden-
diction of incorporation) File Number) tification Number)
1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (201) 847-6800
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N/A
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(Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)
Item 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
The following statement is being furnished by the Company under the
provisions of Regulation FD:
BD, along with another manufacturer and several medical product distributors,
has been named as a defendant in product liability class action lawsuits
relating to healthcare workers who allegedly sustained needlesticks on
conventional products, but have not become infected with any disease. Since
the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
December 31, 2001, the following developments have occurred:
In Alabama, in Daniels vs. Becton Dickinson et al (Case no. CV 1998 2757,
Montgomery Circuit County Court), which was filed on October 30, 1998, the
court dismissed the claims without prejudice on March 1, 2002.
In Illinois, in McCaster vs. Becton Dickinson et al. (Case No. 98L09478, Cook
County Circuit Court), which was filed on August 13, 1998, the court issued a
decision on March 6, 2002, denying plaintiff's petition for review of the
court's January 11, 2002 decision to deny class certification.
In New Jersey, in Pollak, Swartley vs. Becton Dickinson et al (Case
No. L-9449-98, Camden County Superior Court, which was filed on December 7,
1998, the court dismissed the case (including the individual claims of all
the named plaintiffs) with prejudice on March 6, 2002. Summary judgment
dismissing the complaint of the class representative was previously granted
on November 30, 2001.
The Company continues its vigorous defense of the five remaining class
action lawsuits pending.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Kathleen M. Gibson
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Kathleen M. Gibson
Assistant Secretary
Date: March 20, 2002
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