Jury Awards $253.4 Million to Plaintiff in First-Ever Vioxx Trial

ANGLETON, Texas - The family of a Texas man who suffered a fatal heart attack after taking Vioxx has been awarded $253.4 million in the first-ever trial involving the withdrawn arthritis drug. Ernst v. Merck & Co. Inc., et al., No. 19961*BH02 (Texas Dist. Ct., Brazoria Cty.).

The Aug. 19 verdict reached by the Brazoria County 23rd District Court jury included $229 million in punitive damages, sources said. The five-week trial was overseen by Judge Ben Hardin.

Plaintiff Carol Ernst claimed that her husband Robert died in 2001 as a result of taking Vioxx for eight months.

Merck …