November 25, 2004

An area law firm has thrown its hat into the ever-expanding �Vioxx lawsuits� ring. Robert J. DiCello Co., LPA, of Mentor is teaming with Ciano & Goldwasser of Cleveland and Murray & Murray Co., LPA, of Sandusky to handle potential northern Ohio lawsuits involving Vioxx, a pain reliever produced by Merck & Co. that was pulled from the market Sept. 30.

            Giving personalized service is a benefit of choosing a local law firm instead of an out-of-state firm to handle a potential Vioxx lawsuit, DiCello said.

            �I think the major benefit is to the client,� DiCello said.  �They�re in the area where we practice�Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties.  We�re available for them.�

            �Their (Vioxx lawsuit) case is one that would file in federal district court.  We would be able to contact them if a deposition needs to be taken.  They wouldn�t have to buy a plane ticket to go out of state.  We can give them more personalized services.�

            Thus far, each  of the three northern Ohio law firms have filed one or two cases DiCello said, adding the firms are also in the process of reviewing another 200 files for possible lawsuits.

            DiCello has run ads in several newspapers, asking potential victims of Vioxx complications to call an 800-number to explain their situation,

            After completing a questionnaire over the phone, potential clients usually receive a call from one of the three firms within 24 hours to further investigate the situation, DiCello said.

            Also, despite reports stating complications stem from using Vioxx for at least 18 months, Dicello said problems could arise much sooner. 

            �A couple of our clients have taken the drug for only a month, but have suffered a severe heat attack,� Dicello said.  �That is something our medical people are indicating is wholly possible.�