New Judge Takes Over California Vioxx Docket, Says She May Have Taken Vioxx

LOS ANGELES - A new judge has been assigned to oversee California's coordinated Vioxx docket, after a state appeals court ruled that the previous judge should be recused for failing to produce evidence that he had disclosed his past use of the drug. In Re: Vioxx Cases, JCCP No. 4247 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

Judge Emilie H. Elias was assigned the docket on May 6, according to an order entered in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, where numerous Vioxx personal injury claims are currently pending.

'Immediately upon assignment, the coordination trial judge may exercise all the powers …