Robert Smith v. Merck, starting today, is the next federal Vioxx trial in New Orleans, a critical one for Merck, since this plaintiff (a 255-pound man with high blood pressure and atherosclerosis who continued taking Vioxx even after VIGOR warnings were added to the label) is a case they chose to schedule for now. Heather Won Tesoriero has the details; as does the Associated Press. POL coverage of Vioxx litigation, plaintiffs' attorney Mikal Watts, and defense attorney Phil Beck; the two previously clashed over Baycol.