The second case against Merck relating to the controversial drug Vioxx is now well underway in the United States. This time, the claimant is a former US Marine who took the drug to relive pain following a combat injury.
Just like the first claimant, Mr. Humeston's background would suggest that he was a physically fit man who was not an obvious candidate for a heart attack. However, Mr. Humeston did suffer a heart attack after having taken Vioxx regularly to relive pain for around 2 months. He had been taking Vioxx for a total of 4 months prior to his heart attack.

It is expected that Mr. Humeston's lawyers will argue that Merck, the pharmaceutical giant at the centre of this scandal, knew of the dangers relating to this drug at the time the drug was marketed. They will surely also argue that Merck engaged in deceptive and unconscionable practices in the sale and marketing of the drug. Ultimately they will argue that had these dangers been known to the medical profession and patients alike, then Mr. Humeston would never have taken this drug.

Meanwhile the first case involving Vioxx to hit the headlines has seen Merck's legal team cross examine a medical expert on their opinions on a 2000 study which found that patients taking Vioxx had more heart attacks and cardiovascular problems than patients taking Naproxen (belonging to a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also used for pain management).

The repercussions of these cases are clear. If the cases in the United States are successful, then the implications are that litigants in the U.K. will be able to use evidence and/or concessions of liability to found successful cases against Merck in the U.K.

Are you one of the 400,000 Britons in the UK who has taken Vioxx?

Have you or do you know any one who has taken Vioxx?

Have you:
a) taken Vioxx for more than 18 months?
b) had no other risk factors for heart attacks or strokes?

If you fit these criteria and you would like more information on making a claim for injury suffered as a result of taking this drug, then please contact us for advice.