Merck & Co.'s loss in the first trial over the painkiller Vioxx may put pressure on the company to settle 4,000 similar lawsuits as well as future claims as it prepares for the next court battle in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Merck & Co could face decades of litigation and billions of dollars in damages, putting its stock price under pressure indefinitely after a Texas jury found the company liable in the death of a man taking its painkiller drug Vioxx.

Drug-maker-Merck-8-Cols blistering defeat in the nation's first Vioxx trial was only round one in a series of expected court battles in the coming months, many of them involving plaintiffs who have some major advantages.

After less than 11 hours of deliberation, a Texas jury yesterday found Merck & Co. responsible for the death of a 59-year old triathlete who was taking the company's once-popular painkiller, Vioxx.

Drug-maker Merck & Co.'s blistering defeat in the nation's first Vioxx trial was only round one in a series of expected court battles in the coming months.

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--A lawyer representing a number of people suing Merck (MRK) described the verdict returned Friday against the company in a Texas case as "a very important day for the victims of Vioxx."

LOS ANGELES,-Aug 19-(Reuters)~Merck & Co. Inc. could-face years of litigation and billions in damages, putting its stock price under pressure after a Texas jury found the company liable in the death of a man taking its painkiller Vioxx.

A Texas jury dealt a painful blow, finding the drug maker liable for a Vioxx patient’s death and slapping it with $253 million in damages. With about 4,200 more Vioxx lawsuits to go, the verdict was an ominous start for Merck.

Merck & Co., could face years of litigation and billions in damages, putting its stock price under pressure after a Texas jury found the company liable in the death of a man taking its painkiller Vioxx.

A lawyer representing a number of people suing Merck described the verdict returned Friday against the company in a Texas case as "a very important day for the victims of Vioxx."