Vioxx Verdict for Vietnam Vetern

Greg Owen

Attorney

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In yet another defeat for the drug manufacturer Merck & Company, a jury awarded a total of 47.5 million dollars in damages yesterday. Frederick "Mike" Humeston had been granted a second trial in light of new evidence.
Humeston, a Vietnam vetern and postal worker from Idaho, took Vioxx intermittently for pain in his knee due to a shrapnel wound.

Subsequently he suffered a heart attack in September 2001, which was prior to Merck putting stronger warning regarding the risks involved with the use of Vioxx.

This is one of the drug company's biggest losses to date. The Jury awarded $18 million in compensatory damages for pain and suffering. They awarded another $2 million to his wife, Mary. Then, they awarded $27.5 million in punitive damages against Merck. His attorney, Christopher Seeger, stated "This is why you keep fighting. A little guy from Idaho took on Merck and beat them big time."