Humeston v. Merck
VERDICT
Trial
09/15/05 – 11/03/05
Summary
Pharmaceutical product liability trial against Merck for the painkiller drug Vioxx held in New Jersey September 2005.
Plantiffs granted a retrial in 2006.
Outcome
Found for the Defendant.
- Plaintiff
- Defense
- Judge
- Carol Higbee
- Jurisdiction
- New Jersey Superior Court, Atlantic County
- Court
- Atlantic County Civil Courthouse
- Case Number
- L-2272-03
- Industry
- Pharmaceutical
- Practice Area
- Products Liability
- Expert Witnesses
- DePace, Dr. Nicholas (Cardiology)
- Gaziano, Dr. J. MD, MPH (Other Medicine)
- Kronmal, Dr. Richard (Other Medicine)
- Lucchesi, Benedict (Pharmacy & Toxicology)
- Morrison, Dr. Briggs (Oncology)
- Rarick, Dr. Lisa D. MD (Obstetrics & Gynecology)
- Reicin, Dr. Alise (Epidemiology)
- Scolnick, Dr. Edward (Pharmacy & Toxicology)
- Sims, Dr. Charles (Pathology)
- Tyberg, Dr. Theodore MD (Cardiology)
Sessions
PM Session
Openings
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:35:30 | Opening Statement | Sullivan, Diane |
AM Session
Openings
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:09:35 | Opening Statement | Seeger, Christopher |
SEP
14
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
9 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
3 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:41:35 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Morrison, Dr. Briggs | Oncology | In Person | |
| 01:53:20 | Witness Cross Examination | Sullivan, Diane | Morrison, Dr. Briggs | Oncology | In Person |
SEP
15
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 00:38:50 | Break | |||||
| 01:00:50 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 02:06:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 02:10:19 | End of Session |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:07:17 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:06:17 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person |
SEP
16
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:12 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 00:39:16 | Break | |||||
| 01:15:16 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 02:10:24 | End of Session |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
1 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:15 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 00:35:25 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:37:04 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Lucchesi, Benedict | Pharmacy & Toxicology | In Person | |
| 00:44:56 | End of Session |
SEP
19
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
SEP
20
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
9 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:05:25 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Video Recording | |||
| 00:39:30 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:45:20 | Break | |||||
| 00:59:07 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Video Recording | |||
| 02:34:37 | End of Session |
SEP
21
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
14 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Buchanan, David | Kronmal, Dr. Richard | Other Medicine | In Person | |
| 00:43:56 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:46:00 | Break | |||||
| 01:16:07 | Witness Direct Examination | Buchanan, David | Kronmal, Dr. Richard | Other Medicine | In Person | |
| 02:41:22 | End of Session |
SEP
22
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:05:45 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 00:28:30 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:30:43 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 01:25:40 | General Case Activities |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
16 Chapters
SEP
23
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 00:21:33 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:23:20 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 01:02:20 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:03:19 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 01:24:40 | Break |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:18:10 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 01:33:10 | Break | |||||
| 01:51:45 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:55:50 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 02:41:58 | Witness Cross Examination | Raber, Stephen | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 03:03:47 | General Case Activities |
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Re-Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 00:25:50 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:27:08 | Witness Re-Direct Examination | Raber, Stephen | Anstice, Mr. David | In Person | ||
| 00:41:30 | General Case Activities |
SEP
26
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Scolnick, Dr. Edward | Pharmacy & Toxicology | Video Recording | ||
| 01:01:00 | Break | |||||
| 01:22:45 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:25:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Scolnick, Dr. Edward | Pharmacy & Toxicology | Video Recording | ||
| 01:52:20 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 02:18:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Scolnick, Dr. Edward | Pharmacy & Toxicology | Video Recording | ||
| 02:44:00 | Witness Cross Examination | Scolnick, Dr. Edward | Pharmacy & Toxicology | Video Recording |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
1 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Scolnick, Dr. Edward | Pharmacy & Toxicology | Video Recording |
SEP
27
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
3 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:12 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Humeston, Frederick Michael | In Person | ||
| 01:20:30 | Witness Cross Examination | Jones, Christy | Humeston, Frederick Michael | In Person | ||
| 01:40:00 | End of Session |
SEP
28
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
3 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | DePace, Dr. Nicholas | Cardiology | In Person | |
| 01:04:45 | Break | |||||
| 01:29:38 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | DePace, Dr. Nicholas | Cardiology | In Person |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
1 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:11 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Sims, Dr. Charles | Pathology | Video Recording |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Sims, Dr. Charles | Pathology | Video Recording | |
| 00:26:00 | Break | |||||
| 01:09:17 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Sims, Dr. Charles | Pathology | Video Recording | |
| 01:13:38 | Witness Direct Examination | Horn, Moshe | Humeston, Seth | In Person | ||
| 01:31:27 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:55:30 | End of Session |
SEP
29
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
SEP
30
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:01:50 | Witness Direct Examination | Buchanan, David | Humeston, Mary | In Person | ||
| 00:51:20 | Break | |||||
| 01:04:20 | Witness Cross Examination | Jones, Christy | Humeston, Mary | In Person | ||
| 01:22:10 | Break | |||||
| 01:52:40 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:55:48 | General Case Activities | Humeston, Mary | In Person | |||
| 02:01:30 | General Case Activities |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:10 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Weatherly, Dr. | Video Recording | ||
| 00:40:29 | Witness Cross Examination | Freiwald, Hope | Weatherly, Dr. | In Person | ||
| 01:15:05 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:27:15 | End of Session |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Humeston, Mary | In Person | ||
| 00:31:35 | End of Session |
OCT
3
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:29 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:01:30 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Video Recording | |||
| 00:47:30 | Break | |||||
| 02:40:57 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 03:33:25 | End of Session |
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Video Recording | |||
| 01:00:30 | Break | |||||
| 01:25:55 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Video Recording | |||
| 01:42:15 | Witness Cross Examination | Video Recording | ||||
| 01:48:55 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Mckinnis, Cheryl | Video Recording | ||
| 02:08:08 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 02:11:40 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Mckinnis, Cheryl | Video Recording | ||
| 02:17:18 | End of Session |
OCT
5
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
11 Chapters
AM Session
Judge Motion Ruling
3 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Direct Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Morrison, Dr. Briggs | Oncology | In Person | |
| 00:11:18 | General Case Activities | Morrison, Dr. Briggs | Oncology | In Person | ||
| 00:37:00 | End of Session |
OCT
6
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
8 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:10:03 | Witness Direct Examination | Raber, Stephen | Neez, Allen | Video Recording | ||
| 01:08:00 | Break | |||||
| 01:21:50 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:23:20 | Witness Direct Examination | Raber, Stephen | Neez, Allen | Video Recording | ||
| 01:25:10 | Witness Cross Examination | Seeger, Christopher | Neez, Allen | Video Recording | ||
| 01:29:20 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:34:00 | End of Session |
AM Session
Judge Motion Ruling
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:41:40 | Break |
OCT
7
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
10 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
8 Chapters
OCT
11
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:10 | Witness Direct Examination | Raber, Stephen | Scholnik, Dr. Edward | Video Recording | ||
| 01:02:09 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:10:03 | Witness Direct Examination | Raber, Stephen | Scholnik, Dr. Edward | Video Recording | ||
| 01:21:01 | End of Session |
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
9 Chapters
OCT
12
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
OCT
14
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
13 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:09 | Witness Cross Examination | Buchanan, David | Reicin, Dr. Alise | Epidemiology | In Person | |
| 01:11:22 | Break | |||||
| 01:36:27 | Witness Cross Examination | Buchanan, David | Reicin, Dr. Alise | Epidemiology | In Person | |
| 01:44:22 | Break | |||||
| 01:46:44 | Witness Cross Examination | Buchanan, David | Reicin, Dr. Alise | Epidemiology | In Person |
OCT
17
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
11 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
6 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:11 | Witness Direct Examination | Sullivan, Diane | Tyberg, Dr. Theodore MD | Cardiology | In Person | |
| 00:21:52 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:37:12 | Witness Direct Examination | Sullivan, Diane | Tyberg, Dr. Theodore MD | Cardiology | In Person | |
| 01:21:24 | Break | |||||
| 01:42:59 | Witness Direct Examination | Sullivan, Diane | Tyberg, Dr. Theodore MD | Cardiology | In Person | |
| 02:42:22 | End of Session |
OCT
18
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
OCT
19
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
21 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
15 Chapters
OCT
20
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
14 Chapters
PM Session
Not in Session
0 Chapters
OCT
21
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
6 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Witness Cross Examination | Buchanan, David | Gaziano, Dr. J. MD, MPH | Other Medicine | In Person | |
| 00:08:20 | Witness Re-Direct Examination | Jones, Christy | Gaziano, Dr. J. MD, MPH | Other Medicine | In Person | |
| 00:21:40 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:57:57 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:21:10 | End of Session |
OCT
24
AM Session
Other
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:45:40 | End of Session |
OCT
25
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
9 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
8 Chapters
OCT
26
PM Session
Closings
3 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:11 | Closing Statement | Sullivan, Diane | ||||
| 00:35:25 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 01:12:13 | End of Session |
AM Session
Closings
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:10 | Closing Statement | Sullivan, Diane | ||||
| 01:27:26 | Break | |||||
| 01:39:03 | Closing Statement | Sullivan, Diane | ||||
| 02:21:26 | End of Session |
OCT
31
PM Session
Other
4 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:35:25 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:37:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:43:50 | End of Session |
AM Session
Closings
5 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:11 | Closing Statement | Seeger, Christopher | ||||
| 01:11:43 | Break | |||||
| 01:29:41 | Closing Statement | Seeger, Christopher | ||||
| 02:34:28 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 03:02:13 | End of Session |
NOV
1
AM Session
Verdict
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:17 | Reading of the Verdict | |||||
| 00:06:40 | End of Session |
NOV
3