New Jersey Judge Rejects Merck Effort to Sever Trial Cases

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The judge presiding over Vioxx litigation in New Jersey has denied a Merck motion to sever claims filed on behalf of two former users of the drug who the defendant said had vastly dissimilar medical and prescription histories. In Re: Vioxx Litigation, Case No. 619 (N.J. Super. Ct., Atlantic Cty.).

Judge Carol E. Higbee on Feb. 23 rejected Merck's attempt to separate the claims, which were joined for trial that is expected to get underway Feb. 27 in Atlantic County Superior Court.

According to sources, Judge Higbee said in her decision - which was issued from …