Merck settles Vioxx lawsuits for $4.85 Billion

TheMeuge writes: Three years after pulling the infamous anti-inflammatory drug off the market and 20 civil trials, Merck has agreed to pay $4.85 Billion to settle nearly 27'000 lawsuits brought by people who claim they or their family members suffered injuries or died as a result of taking the drug. Interestingly, this comes after Merck won most of the lawsuits that reached juries... after the initial spectacular $253 million dollar verdict against the company. As a result, the average plaintiff will receive on the order of $100'000 before legal fees and expenses.