Texas Judge Reduces Punitive Damage Award in Widow's Vioxx Suit

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - A Texas judge in a widow's Vioxx lawsuit has reduced a $32 million jury award to $7.75 million so that the judgment conforms to Texas law on punitive damages. Garza, et al. v. Evans, et al., No. DC-03-84 (Texas 229th Jud. Dist. Ct., Starr Cty.).

Judge Alex Gabert of the 229th Judicial District Court for Starr County signed the verdict Dec. 21, making official the state court jury's April finding that Merck & Co. Inc. was liable for the death in 2001 of Leonel Garza Sr., a 71-year-old man who suffered a fatal heart attack …