Vioxx MDL Judge Issues First Order Since JPML Transfer; Parties to Meet March 18

NEW ORLEANS - The judge overseeing the Vioxx products liability MDL has issued his first pretrial order since the docket was established in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In Re: VIOXX Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

Pretrial Order No. 1, issued Feb. 18 by Judge Eldon E. Fallon, officially transfers approximately 150 federal Vioxx cases to the Eastern District of Louisiana and sets initial guidelines for MDL No. 1567, including general rules for appearances and service of documents.

According to the order, matters related to pretrial and discovery proceedings will be addressed …