$229 million were punitives. (AP/Forbes, AP/BusWk, Reuters, W$J). Ted posted on the case Jul. 11 when the trial opened. Jim Copland and Jonathan Wilson comment at Point of Law, which has given the issue extensive coverage. Our previous posts on Vioxx are here. Evan Schaeffer, who is handling Vioxx claims on the plaintiff’s side, writes that “this was a case perceived to have causation problems that made it virtually unwinnable for the plaintiffs,” making it an especially bitter defeat for Merck. More: Derek Lowe, KevinMD, Bainbridge, Kirkendall.

Yet more: Ted now has a big post up at Point of Law.