Judge throws out $50M Vioxx award

A federal judge has thrown out a $50 million compensatory damage award against Merck, saying the award in a recent Vioxx case was excessive. The judge has called for a new trial to determine how much Merck should be forced to pay a retired FBI agent. The judge upheld the verdict finding Merck liable in the case.

- here's the AP story on Merck

ALSO: Attorneys for Merck are exploring the financial ties between jurors and the widow of a man who died after taking Vioxx. Her lawsuit in a Texas border town earned a $32 million award along with questions about loans made to a number of the jurors over the years. Article