Court Affirms Certification of Statewide Vioxx Class

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Missouri appellate court has affirmed a trial court's decision to certify a statewide class of plaintiffs seeking to recover damages from the manufacturer of Vioxx on the ground that the two class representatives meet the requirements of typicality. Plubell, et al. v. Merck & Co., No. WD 69808 (Mo. App. Ct., Western Dist.).

In a May 12 order, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, further ruled that the class meets the requirement that common issues predominate. The class consists of all Missouri residents who purchased Vioxx for personal or family use, but excludes those …