Montgomery, Ala. - Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C., announced Dec. 11 that shareholder W. Daniel "Dee" Miles was selected as the firm's "Litigator of the Year." The annual recognition is presented to the attorney who demonstrates exceptional professional skill throughout the course of the year and best represents the firm's ideal of "helping those who need it most."

As was reported previously, on November 9, 2007, Merck agreed to pay $4.85 billion dollars to settle the claims of persons who suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking the pain reliever, Vioxx.

A Breakdown on the Vioxx Claims Process

After more than five years of hard-fought and difficult litigation, Merck has agreed to pay $4.85 billion, the largest pharmaceutical settlement in history, to resolve certain Vioxx-related claims involving plaintiffs who suffered a heart attack (including sudden cardiac death) or a stroke.

A lawsuit was filed Monday in the Supreme Court of the State of New York on behalf on plaintiff Harry E. French, Jr., who alleges he developed Serzone-induced hepatitis on or about December 2000 and March 2001. (A copy of the complaint is attached.)