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) July 19, 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 5. OTHER EVENTS
In the product liability action entitled Grant v. Becton Dickinson & Co., et al.
(Case No. 98CVB07-05616, in the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio),
the Court filed a decision on July 17, 2002 under Ohio procedural law granting
plaintiff's motion for class certification "subject to any necessary alteration,
modification, or amendment pursuant to Ohio Civ. R. 23." Under the Court's
decision, the certified class relates to persons located in the State of Ohio
who sustained accidental needlesticks with certain products but did not contract
any disease.
The Company vigorously denies that the claims in the case have any merit and
will continue to oppose class action certification by promptly filing an appeal
of the Court's decision with the Ohio Court of Appeals for the 10th Appellate
Judicial District. Class certification of similar claims has been denied in two
other states (Texas and Illinois). Three other states (California, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania) have dismissed similar claims for having no merit.
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: July 19, 2002
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