Vioxx® Class Action

A Vioxx® class action suit is brought against the manufacturer of Vioxx® by a group of victims who have suffered adverse health problems as a result of taking Vioxx®. By definition, a class action is a civil lawsuit in which one or more parties file a complaint on behalf of themselves and all others who are similarly situated, meaning they have suffered the same, or similar, injuries. When a defective product causes harm to a number of people they can collectively file a suit to seek compensation for their injuries.

In a Vioxx® class action suit those individuals who have suffered adverse physical problems associated with Vioxx® use, may by represented collectively in a civil suit to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering caused to all injured parties. A Vioxx® class action settlement is the money that is awarded for these damages. This money is then divided accordingly among the victims in a Vioxx® class action suit.

When a victim is represented in a Vioxx® class action, they may have a better chance at recovering compensation for their damages at a lower cost to them than if they pursued an individually filed lawsuit. On the flip side, a Vioxx® class action settlement is divvyed up amongst the plaintiffs and it is possible to receive a lower total amount of compensation in a class action suit than if you were to bring suit against the manufacturer of Vioxx® individually.

Vioxx® was voluntarily pulled from the market in September of 2003, when the manufacturers discovered that Vioxx® users are two times more likely to suffer a serious stroke or heart attack than the general population. This came out of the findings reported in two internal clinical studies conducted by Merck, Vioxx®'s manufacturer. In recent public statements the company explained the Vioxx® recall, stating that the risks associated with taking Vioxx® outweigh its intended benefits.

Signs of serious adverse health problems caused by Vioxx® can include shortness of breath, chest pains, confusion and impaired thinking, loss of appetite, rapid heart beat, build up of fluid in the body's tissues (edema), and tiredness or fatigue. A negative reaction to Vioxx® can also cause stroke, whose symptoms include vision problems, numbness to one side of the body, dizziness, and trouble with speech or motor skills.

If you have been injured as a result of taking Vioxx®, you may wish to speak to a qualified lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a Vioxx® case. You may discover that participation in a Vioxx® class action lawsuit is the best way to maximize and protect your legal interests.