Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Personal Injury Law Firm

First Florida Vioxx Trial Underway in Tampa

Brenda Fulmer — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:37:22 GMT

Jury selection and opening statements have now been completed in the trial of Refik Kozic v. Merck, the first Vioxx case to proceed to trial in the State of Florida. Refik Kozic, a current resident of Jacksonville and a former long-term resident of Tampa, filed his lawsuit against Merck in 2003 for injuries relating to the heart attack that he suffered after ingesting Vioxx daily for 9 weeks. Judge William P. Levens is presiding over the trial, which is anticipated to last for another 2 1/2 weeks. The Plaintiff's trial team includes Jim Clark and Don Greiwe of Alley, Clark, Greiwe & Fulmer in Tampa and Fred Levin, Troy Rafferty and Pete Kaufman of Levin, Papantonio in Pensacola.

Refik Kozic is popular former soccer player with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and New York Cosmos. He retired from professional sports in the 1980s, but continued to play and coach soccer in the Tampa Bay Area for a number of years. Refik started taking Vioxx in February of 2001 due to knee pain stemming from old soccer-related injuries. Nine weeks later, Mr. Kozic suffered a significant heart attack due to a large blood clot in his heart and underwent surgery to place a metal stent in one of his arteries.

Mr. Kozic filed suit against Merck for his injuries and damages related to his heart attack. His lawsuit includes claims relating to the negligent and defective design, manufacture, and marketing of Vioxx. Also, the court has permitted Mr. Kozic to also bring a claim for punitive damages against Merck.

Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after several studies noted a significantly increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients using the drug. Currently, there are nearly 40,000 lawsuits pending against Merck in state and federal courts across the country. Most of the claims filed by Floridians who suffered heart attacks or strokes after taking Vioxx are pending in the multi-district litigation proceedings in New Orleans. It is anticipated that many of these cases will be returned to local Florida jurisdictions and set for trials either later this year or in 2008.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brenda Fulmer

Perenich Carroll - Tampa Bay Personal Injury Law Firm

Bob Carroll — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 16:36:39 GMT

Since 1955, the personal injury law firm Perenich, Carroll, Perenich, Avril, Caulfield & Noyes, P.A. has been a committed and aggressive voice of the injured in the extended Tampa Bay area and throughout the State of Florida. Among the thousands of firm clients have been the injured victims of motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, nursing home abuse or neglect, misfilled prescriptions, defective products, medical malpractice, on-the-job accidents, legal malpractice and insurance fraud.

Since 1955, the personal injury law firm Perenich, Carroll, Perenich, Avril, Caulfield & Noyes, P.A. has been a committed and aggressive voice of the injured in the extended Tampa Bay area and throughout the State of Florida.

Among the thousands of firm clients have been the injured victims of motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, nursing home abuse or neglect, prescription errors, defective products, medical malpractice, on-the-job accidents, legal malpractice and insurance fraud.

Perenich Carroll has eight experienced attorneys and a support staff of over fifty who daily pursue justice and compensation for the injured. Representation is provided from offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Spring Hill and other locations in the State of Florida. With the nationwide reach of the Internet and our use of the newest technology, Perenich Carroll has also assisted injured persons throughout the United States.

Thorough investigation and preparation of a claim for injuries, coupled with knowledge of the relevant law, is the foundation of any effort to maximize the fair compensation required. Then, there must be a strong push in negotiation or litigation, if necessary. Perenich Carroll has demonstrated its willingness and competence to take these steps on behalf of its clients. It commits fully to providing the highest quality legal representation from its team of attorneys.

The firm is proud that it receives most of its cases through referrals from clients and colleagues within the legal profession.

Perenich Carroll may be reached toll-free at 1-800-5 FLA LAW.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Carroll