More than 59,000 register for Vioxx settlement

NEW ORLEANS, LA Partners in the BrownGreer law firm gave the figures Friday to U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, who is overseeing the nationwide settlement. Partner Orran Brown says more than 51,000 people or their attorneys have sent in formal enrollment forms.

Plaintiffs' attorney Drew Ranier said an insurance company, a doctor and a hospital have refused to send in the records needed for such settlement packages. The judge says he will call them to court next week.

Merck agreed in November to pay $4.85 billion to settle personal injury lawsuits claiming that the once-popular painkiller caused a heart attack, stroke or death.

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