Merck's Future Rides on Jury

If Merck(MRK Quote) can't win a Vioxx trial in New Jersey, it can't win anywhere.

Now that the closing arguments have ended in the Atlantic City, N.J., trial pitting the company against postal worker Frederick "Mike" Humeston, the company's future is in the hands of the six women and three men on a jury that could render a verdict this week.

Even if the company loses, the monetary damage to Merck from this one case isn't likely to be anywhere near the $253 million verdict brought in against the company by a Texas jury in the first Vioxx trial. New Jersey state product-liability laws cap damages at a relatively low level. ...