Teamsters Say Vioxx Settlement Left ERISA Plans Out in the Cold

NEW ORLEANS - Two unions have filed suit in Louisiana federal court on behalf of health plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, demanding reimbursement of medical bills paid on behalf of beneficiaries who are participating in Merck & Co. Inc.'s $4.85 billion Vioxx claims settlement. Service Employees International Union, et al. v. BrownGreer PLC, No. 08-3627 (E.D. La.).

The Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters Union on June 3 accused the law firms who negotiated the settlement on behalf of their Vioxx clients of attempting to avoid paying outstanding liens, thereby depriving the ERISA plans of …