N.J. Vioxx Judge Enters $17 Million in Judgments in Two Cases

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Judgment has been entered in two Vioxx cases that went to trial in March and ended with mixed results, but could end up collectively costing Merck more than $17 million. McDarby v. Merck & Co. Inc., No. ATL-L-1296-05; Cona v. Merck & Co. Inc., No. ATL-L-3553-05 (N.J. Super. Ct., Atlantic Cty.).

Judgment was entered on Aug. 7 by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Carol E. Higbee, who oversaw the consolidated trials of John McDarby and Thomas Cona. Both men suffered heart attacks after taking Vioxx.

Jurors awarded $4.5 million in compensatory damages to McDarby, and later …