Merck opposes broadcast of Vioxx trial

Victims of painkiller Vioxx and attorneys who are helping them were hoping that they would be able to watch the Humeston Vs Merck trial on Court TV. Apparently, Merck does not think that it is such a good idea. It is afraid that if more victims and lawyers watch the trial, it is going to hurt the company in forthcoming trials.

The company filed a motion early this week requesting a ban on television cameras from the courtroom during the trial. The channel is watched in 85 million homes in America. By any account, the Vioxx litigation is the largest ever recall of a product. The drug is estimated to have killed as many as 60,000 people in the United States alone and many more in other countries.

The lawsuit filed by Mike Humeston claims that he had a heart attack after he started taking Vioxx to relieve pain from wounds received during the Vietnam war. Jury selection begins on the 12th while opening arguments are expected to start Wednesday.

Related article: Pre-trial differences between Merck and Chris Seeger, attorney for Humeston