Merck Moves to Sever Multi-Plaintiff Vioxx Injury Case

NEW ORLEANS - Merck has moved to sever a 16-plaintiff Vioxx personal injury case, arguing that the allegations within the complaint are insufficient to show that the claims were properly joined under Rule 20. Reed v. Merck & Co. Inc., No. 05-5347 (E.D. La.).

Merck filed the motion Nov. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in an MDL case that was initially filed in Missouri. The 16 plaintiffs all allege that they or their decedents suffered serious injury or death as a result of taking Vioxx.

However, Merck maintains that the claims have no …