Digitaltopia
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Aug 20th 2005
$253.4 Million Judgment in Vioxx Death
Vioxx was at once time considered the safest pain killer on the market. Millions of people in the states, and around the world used the popular pill on a daily basis. All was well until September of 2004. A study revealed that taking the product for a period longer then 18 months more then doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke.
New Jersey based Merck was forced to pull Vioxx from shelfs. At its height the Vioxx market exceeded 2 billion dollars. Although the jury awarded Carol Ernst the sum of 253.4 million dollars the amount is going to be reduced by the judge. Experts say the amount will probably end up at 26.1 million dollars. Ernst's lawyer had this to say, "This is right. Justice is done, amen.”
The next Vioxx case that Merck faces is in there home state of New Jersey. If they loose that case also the flood gates will probably open. If things go against the company they could be looking at shelling out around 18 billion dollars.