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Ohio Vioxx Lawyer

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According to recent census numbers, Ohio ranks in the top tier of states with a high elderly population. Approximately 14 percent of Ohio's entire population is over the age of 65, which puts it in the top group of states in that demographic. That is why it is so important for the residents of Ohio to be aware of their rights when it comes to the current or past use of the prescription painkiller Vioxx. If you used Vioxx in the past and experienced severe side effects, or if someone close to you did and feels that that their Vioxx use contributed to any health problems, you may have grounds to recoup your expenses, lost wages and even punitive damages. Contact a local lawyer in your area today who specializes in Vioxx cases, personal injury law, or cases of corporate negligence.

Cases of corporate greed and wrongdoing date back almost as long as businesses has been around. In the case of Vioxx, corporate greed and negligence has led to an astonishing 30,000 deaths, with the number continuing to rise. Vioxx is a standout example of what happens to drug companies when they hide or fail to disclose information: Eventually the public finds out anyway, at the expense of many innocent people.

With Vioxx, Merck thought that they had discovered a wonder drug. The pill worked well for arthritis sufferers the first drug in years that did what it was supposed to do. It is no wonder that by 2003, Vioxx made up 10 percent of Merck's total revenue stream at over 2.3 billion dollars. Vioxx hit the market in 1999, and its impact was felt right away. The FDA rushed it through approval and before too long, there were Vioxx commercials on TV, ads in newspapers, magazines, and even billboards telling us that we all needed Vioxx. Most people had heard the name of the drug before, but they could not tell you what it did or why they felt this overwhelming need to use it. What people didn't know, however, was that Vioxx also increased the chances for heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest for its users. As more and more cases of death and injury started to surface that were linked to Vioxx usage, the FDA was alerted to the situation and launched a three-year long investigation into the drug and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the market.

Suspicion was raised about the long-term effects of Vioxx usage fairly quickly upon its release in late 1999. Merck tried to head off any concern by conducting their own studies at what Vioxx does to your body over a long period of time. What Merck did not expect to find was that the concerns were exactly right. Studies by Merck's own scientists showed that after 18 months of consecutive Vioxx use, one becomes much more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. Merck released the findings of their study, confirming the public's worst fears in the process. They promptly pulled Vioxx from stores and pharmacies everywhere.

The lawsuits from affected families started almost right away. A woman in Texas was awarded a huge sum because she was able to link her husband's heart attack to his Vioxx usage. She was able to get help with hospital bills, lost wages and a large sum for punitive damages. If you have suffered injury or loss of a loved one due to Vioxx, you might also be able to receive a large settlement in return for you pain, suffering and loss.

Merck has set aside almost $1 billion for fighting these lawsuits. While no amount of money will fix what has been done, you can secure the financial future of your family. Get in contact with a local Ohio lawyer who is experienced with lawsuits and litigation regarding defective pharmaceuticals and similar cases. There are still ongoing lawsuits against Merck, even years later. Get the peace of mind and compensation you deserve.