Judge Reconsiders Decision to Stay Vioxx Case, Remands for Lack of Jurisdiction

TAMPA, Fla. - A Vioxx injury case has been remanded to state court after the judge overseeing the matter reconsidered his prior decision to administratively close the case so that it could be transferred to the MDL. White v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al., No. 05-243 (M.D. Fla.).

Judge Richard A. Lazzara of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled Feb. 14 that the claims of Ruby White should be remanded to Sarasota County Circuit Court, after White pointed out that judges in federal courts throughout Florida have remanded claims alleging nearly identical sets of …