Jury selection begins this week in the first Vioxx lawsuit to go to trial. Opening arguments are expected in a federal court in Angleton, Texas, as early as Thursday. Carol Ernst, who lost her husband to a heart arrhythmia, is suing drug giant Merck for failing to warn patients of the risks involved with the painkiller. Ernst is represented by W. Mark Lanier, who The New York Times calls "one of the best trial lawyers in the country." The paper notes that the case will draw major attention.
- see this story from The New York Times