Parents Claim Makers of Vaccines and Thimerosal Are Liable for Son's Injuries

NEW ORLEANS - The parents of a child who allegedly continues to suffer from the neurotoxic effects of mercury poisoning have filed suit against the companies that manufactured the vaccines, as well as the company that sold and distributed the preservative thimerosal. Melissa and Shawn Cook v. Eli Lilly & Co., et al., No. 03-1417 (E.D. La.).

Plaintiffs Shawn and Melissa Cook claim that the vaccines administered to their child were defective and that the drug companies concealed and misrepresented the toxic dangers of the mercury-laden preservative.

Shawn Cook, Jr., the plaintiffs' son, was born on Dec. 20, 1997. In …