If you have taken Vioxx and you have suffered from a heart attack or stroke you may be entitled to compensation.

In November 2007, Merck & Co. announced it will pay $4.85 billion to settle as claims by as many as 47,000 groups of plaintiffs over injuries linked to its blockbuster Vioxx painkiller. The money will be paid into a fund, and people who claim they were hurt by Vioxx can petition for money. Merck said the deal was not a class action settlement and individual cases will be examined before payments are made.

The claims include those filed in federal and state courts, and plaintiff groups include former Vioxx patients or family members of patients who died.

To be eligible for settlements, plaintiffs must provide medical evidence they suffered heart attacks or strokes and proof of having taken Vioxx pills within 14 days of their illness and 30 pills in all. Merck stated the awards will depend on how long a person took the medication and the severity of injury.

About Vioxx

Merck pulled its best-selling arthritis drug Vioxx off the market in September 2004 after a study linked it to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The company announced the immediate, voluntary worldwide withdrawal of the drug when a three-year colon cancer clinical trial revealed that 18 months after patients started taking Vioxx, test results showed an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications. In addition, Vioxx also was associated with blood clots, angina and nonbacterial meningitis, severe intestinal damage, ulcerations and bleeding, and kidney damage.

Vioxx, approved in June 1999, was a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in a class of drugs commonly referred to as a "Cox-2 Inhibitors." It came in liquid or pill form, and was prescribed to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It was also used to treat acute pain in adults such as those patients who experience severe pain associated with menstruation. Vioxx worked by blocking COX-2 enzymes in the body that trigger pain and inflammation.

The earliest Vioxx suits brought to light questions as to when Merck was first made aware that fatal side effects were associated with Vioxx, and whether the company failed to inform public health authorities of these side effects in a timely manner. Additionally, Merck extensively marketed Vioxx as highly safe and effective, while minimizing its risks compared to other drugs on the market. With as many as 80 million users worldwide, the Vioxx recall was considered one of the largest in history.

If you or a loved one have taken Vioxx and experienced any problems or side effects, you may have a right to seek compensation from the drug companies that have caused you pain.

 

If you have taken Vioxx and have suffered any side effects, please contact our experienced Vioxx lawyers now for a free evaluation.

News Alert

First Vioxx Trial Verdict and Cases Challenge 18-Month Damage Claim
On August 19, 2005, a jury in Angleton, Texas awarded $253.4 million in damages in the case of Ernst vs. Merck & Co. The final award, however, will not exceed $26.1 million due to Texas caps on punitive damages.

Analysts Predict Merck’s Vioxx Liabilities Could Hit $50 Billion
After Merck & Co. was assessed a $253+ million verdict in the first Vioxx trial in August 2005, financial analysts began adjusting their estimates on the size of future jury awards or settlements. With the end of the landmark trial, analysts’ estimates have escalated to as high as $50 billion.

Merck may settle some Vioxx cases, NJ trial looms
August 26, 2005 - Reuters - Merck & Co Inc. on Friday signaled it may consider settling some lawsuits alleging harm from its Vioxx pain drug, as it gears up for its second Vioxx court battle -- this time in its own backyard.

Merck Found Liable For Man's Death In Vioxx Trial
08-19-05 - Bloomberg - Merck & Co. must pay more than $253 million to the family of a Texas man who died after taking the company's Vioxx painkiller.

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At Brown & Crouppen our experienced team of Vioxx and defective drug lawyers provide tough, aggressive representation for Vioxx victims and their families. When you choose us to handle your Vioxx lawsuit, our entire team becomes fully committed to your cause. We’ll find answers, hold negligent companies responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.

Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll Free: 866-991-4700 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Lawyer's Story...

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My name is Ron Brown, along with my partner Terry Crouppen we founded Brown and Crouppen almost 20 years ago. Today, we are proud to say that we are one of mid-America’s largest personal injury lawfirms. For some time now we have concentrated a lot of our time and resources in the area of dangerous drug litigation. We have partnered with some of the country’s best drug litigation specialists to create a legal team we feel is second to none. Our team has successfully handled cases involving the prescription drugs Rezulin, Fen-Phen and Lotronex. CONTINUE

A Client's Story...

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It’s really terrible to read about a prescription drug being recalled because of dangerous side effects, when you’re one of the people taking it. That’s what happened to me a few years ago. I suffer from a chronic disease and my doctor prescribed a drug to help me manage it better. After being on the drug for a while I began to feel weak and reported it to my doctor. I can’t say enough good things about him, he saved my life. He realized that my problems were being caused not by my disease but by the prescription drug that was supposed to be helping me.     CONTINUE

Things You Should Know

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Unfortunately, this is true. There are definite time limits in taking care of your case. These time limits are called statutes of limitations and if you wait past the time set out in the statute your case is over, forever, regardless if you have gotten any money or not. Don’t let this happen to you, if you have a Cerebral Palsy malpractice case don’t wait until it’s too late, call Brown and Crouppen now.  CONTINUE

 

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Call Brown & Crouppen at Toll-Free: 866-991-4700 for your free
legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Toll-Free: 866-991-4700