Just when Merck
The shareholders are rightly ticked off that the value of their shares plummeted after Merck pulled Vioxx off the market in 2004, and they want to be compensated for what they -- or at least their lawyers -- believe were inaccurate disclosures that the company made to shareholders.
Merck was originally able to get the suit thrown out because the statute of limitations had run out, but the appeals court judges disagreed. If Merck can't persuade the full appeals court or the Supreme Court to overturn the panel's decision, it'll go back to the lower court and argue the many other reasons it has for why the lawsuit shouldn't continue.
While some shareholder lawsuits -- like Tyco Electronics'
From Dendreon
Of course, it's possible that Merck's management did something wrong, like withholding information from investors and patients, but considering the company's excellent win-loss ratio in court against patients and their families, I'm willing to bet that Merck wins this case, too.
More Foolishness:
- Barr has some lawyers worth keeping.
- J&J would rather forget this lawsuit.
- Sometimes companies with lawsuits make for good pickings.