First Federal Vioxx Lawsuit Has November Court Date

By Dave Wilson

Published on August 17, 2005

The lawsuit, Evelyn Irvin Plunkett v. Merck & Co, Inc., is slated to begin on November 28, 2005 in New Orleans. The Beasley Allen Law Firm is representing Mrs. Plunkett and numerous others in the MDL, which is a federal consolidation of related cases.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs contends that Merck abused public trust by deceiving doctors and patients. He alleged that thousands of individuals died or suffered serious injury because of Merck's decision to conceal the risks associated with use of Vioxx.

Plunkett's husband, Richard Irvin Jr., died from a heart attack in 2002. She claims that her husband was in good health when he started taking Vioxx, one month before his death. Plunkett believes that Vioxx contributed to the cardiac arrest that claimed Irvin's life.

Since the painkiller was recalled in September of 2004, thousands of Vioxx lawsuits have been filed against Merck. The pharmaceutical manufacturer has vowed to fight each and every case in court.

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