Britons Plan to Sue Merck Over Vioxx

Britons who believe they suffered after taking Merck & Co. Inc.’s painkiller Vioxx plan to sue the drug maker in the U.S. courts next year, a law firm said.

Attorney Gerard Dervan said it made sense for the 150 British plaintiffs to pursue Merck in the U.S. courts because British authorities had so far decided not to provide legal aid and British courts could force the plaintiffs to pay Merck’s costs if they lost.

The manufacturer was found negligent last week in the death of a Texas man who took the drug. The jury awarded his widow $253.4 million.