Plaintiff's Lack of Representation Leads to Dismissal with Prejudice

TRENTON - A federal judge dismissed with prejudice a man's Vioxx- and Celebrex-related injury suit after he failed to appear before the court and enter the name of his attorney. Walter Ladick v. Merck & Co., Inc. No. 03-202 (D. N.J.).

U.S. District Judge Mary Cooper's Jan. 7 ruling stated that the case would be dismissed if the plaintiff failed to satisfy the requirements of a Nov. 3 order directing him to demonstrate that he is ready and able to prosecute the case to completion.

In 2002, plaintiff Walter Ladick sued Vioxx manufacturer Merck and Pharmacia, the company that sells …