Lawsuits to Come From Britain Against Drug-Maker Merck

One-hundred fifty people in Britain plan to file lawsuits against drug company Merck for the sometimes deadly side effects of its drug Vioxx.

Law firms in London and Liverpool are reported to represent the clients after a jury in the United States found the company liable for the death of a Texas man Friday, The London Daily Telegraph reports.

The man’s widow was awarded $253 million in damages.

Christine Peckham of Skelmersdale, England, says the company should pay after Vioxx allegedly left her partially paralyzed.

Vioxx was taken off the market in September after the drug was linked to heart problems.

More than 4,200 lawsuits are pending across the United States and lawsuits have been filed in Canada, Europe, Brazil, Australia and Israel.

Merck said it will fight the lawsuits.