EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (CN) - L.A. Weight Loss Centers will pay $700,000 to settle a wrongful death suit. Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder approved the settlement for children of a woman who died of liver failure after being given weight-loss drugs.
Plaintiff attorneys Eric and Jon Carlson will receive about $311,000 of the $700,000. The rest will be split between Pamela Hoppe's two children.
Hoppe's sister, Carolyn Schur, sued in 2005 on behalf of Hoppe's estate and her minor daughter.
Hoppe sought help losing weight in 2004 and was given supplements that were not tested or regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the complaint. Schur said Hoppe was diagnosed with liver failure caused by the drugs and died on Aug. 29, 2004.
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