Merck Slapped With Second Setback in Vioxx Cases
On the same day a jury in federal court awarded Vioxx plaintiff $51 million, New Jersey state court Judge Carol Higbee threw out the verdict for Merck from the November of last year. Citing new evidence, including the fact that Merck withheld crucial data from the VIGOR study and new deposition evidence, Judge Higbee awarded the plaintiff's request for a new trial. This second victory for those injured by Vioxx brings the win-loss tally to 4 and 4.