SPECIFIC PRODUCTS
VIOXX CLAIMS
UK VIOXX INJURY CLAIMS
US pharmaceutical giant Merck has indicated that it will consider settling a limited number of Vioxx injury compensation claims without the need to take the cases to court and has initially indicated that claims will be settled for anyone who experienced problems who took the drug for eighteen months or more and who did not previously have a serious heart condition.
This turnaround by Merck occurred only a few days after the company initially indicated that it would defend all potential claims in the wake of the ground breaking award by a Texas jury in the sum of $253m (£141m) to the widow of a man who died from heart problems after taking the drug for several years.
This Vioxx injury award was determined under Texas law by a jury and legal experts consider that the amount will not stand up to appeal with the general consensus being that the widow will eventually receive compensation in the region of $20 million.
In reality the likelihood is that this there will be further concessions and that group action by the remaining claimants will ensure that a large number are also able to seek recompense with different awards being made to claimants who will be assigned to a band of compensation dependent on the severity of the injury.
Britain's Legal Service Commission who effectively administer Legal Aid have indicated that there will be no public funding of these claims in the UK which are, as a result, being fought in the US on a no-win no-fee basis.
The next Vioxx injury trial which Merck are again defending is due to begin in New Jersey next month and the result of this second trial should effectively seal the fate of all future litigation on liability leaving Merck to fight a rearguard action relating to defence of the less serious cases. The amount of any awards by a jury will of course be disputed by Merck as jury awards are usually more than a little generous and often exceed amounts allowed under US statutes.
Personal Injury UK has already received numerous claims for compensation for injury ranging from minor heart problems through to severe injury including a number of fatalities. These claims are being handled in the UK by solicitors who are liaising with the main group litigation lawyers in the USA who are dealing with claims on a normal US no win no fee basis.
Time limits do apply and if you have suffered as a result of taking this drug you need urgent advice on how to take matters forward and how to protect your legal position. Our solicitors are personal injury experts and offer free legal advice. All claims are dealt with using the no win no fee scheme and are completely risk free.
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