Pharmaceuticals Blog
New Jersey judge attempts to ease the Vioxx logjam
August 23rd, 2007 by Todd HagemanAs I said in my Aug. 21 blog entry, over 45,000 Vioxx lawsuits have been filed nationwide. Fewer than 20 cases have actually been tried. Of the last 15 cases that went to trial, only five ended with a verdict for the plaintiff. And Merck has spent over $1 billion on their vow to try every case individually.
Now, The Star-Ledger of New Jersey and Pharmalot report that New Jersey Superior Court Judge Carol Higbee is attempting to move her 13,800 cases along by proposing four simultaneous trials to begin on January 22. Over the past two years, she has presided over just four trials.
The lead defense attorney, Theodore Mayer of Hughes, Hubbard and Reed, has said, “We feel very strongly that justice in each case should not be affected by the large number of cases.” In other words, Merck is going to continue to drag these cases, which means years before Vioxx plaintiffs could have their day in court.
If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of taking a dangerous medication, contact Todd Hageman toll free at 1-877-767-3108.
