Texas Judge Orders $27.35 Million Payment to Plaintiffs in First Vioxx Trial

ANGLETON, Texas - A Texas state judge has entered a final judgment in the first-ever Vioxx trial, ordering Merck & Co. Inc. to pay the plaintiffs $26.1 million in damages and $1.25 million in pre-judgment interest. Ernst, et al. v. Merck & Co. Inc., et al., No. 19961*BH02 (Texas 23rd Dist. Ct., Brazoria Cty.).

Following a hearing on Merck's motion to set aside a Texas jury's Aug. 19, 2005, $253.4 million verdict, Judge Ben Hardin of Brazoria County's 23rd District Court signed the final judgment on June 23.

Merck had moved on April 24 for a take-nothing judgment in its …