California Judge Sets July 2005 Trial Date for Five Vioxx Plaintiffs

LOS ANGELES - The judge overseeing the California consolidated Vioxx litigation has set a July 2005 trial date for five cases alleging injuries caused by ingestion of the arthritis drug. In Re: VIOXX® Cases, JCCP No. 4247 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

A source told HarrisMartin Publishing that Judge Peter D. Lichtman set the July 7 trial date following a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Jan. 20. Judge Lichtman had asked the parties to present argument on a plan presented last month by plaintiffs' counsel that called for trying five select cases for the purpose of establishing …