On November 9, 2007, attorneys representing certain plaintiffs in New Jersey, California, Texas, and the Vioxx multi-district litigation in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, entered into a historic settlement agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., designed to resolve personal injury claims related to heart attacks, ischemic strokes or sudden cardiac deaths suffered by patients who ingested Vioxx. The settlement agreement follows years of difficult and costly litigation in multiple jurisdictions around the country.
Christopher A. Seeger, a founding partner of Seeger Weiss LLP, played a significant role in the negotiation and design of the settlement plan, under which Merck will pay 4.85 billion dollars to compensate injured persons who qualify for the plan. Mr. Seeger is Co-Lead Counsel of the Vioxx MDL litigation in the Eastern District of Louisiana and has played a prominent role in the Vioxx litigation since 2001, having tried two Vioxx cases. His partner, David R. Buchanan, is Plaintiffs' Co-Liason Counsel for the New Jersey Vioxx litigation. Mr. Seeger and Mr. Buchanan were assisted in Vioxx litigation by Seeger Weiss LLP partners Moshe Horn, and Diogenes P. Kekatos, counsel James O’Brien, and associates Laurence Nassif and Jeffrey Grand.
The Settlement Program
Under the settlement plan, Merck will compensate qualified claimants who suffered a heart attack, sudden cardiac death, or ischemic stroke as a result of ingesting Vioxx. The eligibility and degree of compensation to claimants will be determined by an independent Claims Administrator based upon a review of medical records. Certain claimants who have suffered extraordinary economic damages (past lost wages and medical expenses) may qualify for additional compensation. Seeger Weiss believes the program is fair and will provide compensation and resolution to the thousands of claimants who are presently awaiting trial dates.
Important Dates
January 15, 2008: Pursuant to orders entered in several courts, attorneys must register all claimants alleging Vioxx-related injuries with the Claims Administrator, regardless of whether they qualify for the settlement program.
February 29, 2008: Eligible claimants, through their counsel, must submit their Enrollment Forms, Releases, and Stipulation of Dismissal to qualify for an Interim settlement payment.
July 1, 2008: Counsel for enrolling claimants must submit a claims package, which includes the relevant medical records needed for claims assessment and valuation.
August 1, 2008: Interim payments will commence to enrolled claimants who the Claims Administrator has determined are qualified to receive compensation under the program.
Further details concerning the settlement agreement, including eligibility and qualification requirements, may be accessed by clicking here.
Client Information
If you are a Seeger Weiss client who has a Vioxx-related heart attack, sudden cardiac death, or ischemic stroke claim, you will be receiving a package of materials concerning the Settlement Program. Please review the materials and contact Seeger Weiss if you have any questions.
If you are a Seeger Weiss client alleging Vioxx-related personal injuries other than heart attack, sudden cardiac death, or ischemic stroke, representatives from the firm will be contacting you in the coming weeks to discuss the status of your claims.