From the Placitella Firm:
Although Merck & Co. won a victory in the second VIOXX trial today, in New Jersey, the decision does not have anynegative implications for other plaintiffs. According to Christopher Placitella of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., one of the attorneys involved in the Texas trial case, where there was a $250 million verdict, the loss is not a setback for the 6,400 other lawsuits that have been filed against Merck."
"Everyone knew from the beginning that this was a difficult medical case
and that Merck would present a vigorous and well orchestrated defense focusing
on the plaintiff," Placitella said following the verdict. "There will be wins
and losses during the course of this litigation for both sides, depending upon
the facts as presented in individual cases."
Citing the early lawsuits for asbestos health issues, Placitella pointed out that first six asbestos cases were lost before the asbestos companies' conduct was fully explained and revealed. "That is not the case here. One jury has already found the drug maker's conduct so reprehensible that they awarded $250 million," he emphasized. "The liability evidence introduced was compelling."
Placitella, who has been conducting national liability discovery against
Merck, which he says has yet to be used in a trial against the drug maker,
stated, "Discovery of new evidence in the VIOXX cases continues and new
evidence will surface in every case we try over the next year."
He added, "Our trial team, which comprises not only the lawyers who won
the case in Texas, but also some of the best law firms in the United States,
looks forward to trying the next case against Merck."
