N.J. Judge Orders Expedited Discovery in 250 Vioxx Cases

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The state judge overseeing New Jersey's Vioxx litigation has granted Merck & Co. Inc.'s request to expedite discovery in 250 cases, saying the manufacturer showed good cause in designating the cases for such treatment. In Re: Vioxx Litigation, Case No. 619 (N.J. Super. Ct., Atlantic Cty.).

In the June 6 case management order, Judge Carol E. Higbee of the Atlantic County Superior Court divided the cases into four groups, each with different requirements and conditions. The judge noted that the order was unopposed by the plaintiffs.

Nearly 200 cases, which Merck had designated as requiring additional …