August 19, 2005 – A Texas jury found pharmaceutical giant Merck liable for the Vioxx related death of 59 year old Robert Ernst and awarded $253 Million in punitive & compensatory damages. This was the first trial after an avalanche of scientific studies confirmed Vioxx caused an increased risk of heart attacks & strokes, forcing Merck to recall its “blockbuster” COX-2 inhibitor. Read More
By Ted Oshman