Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02079/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02079-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 365
Nature of Suit: Personal Injury - Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Personal Injury

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FREEMAN HERRING, )

) 2:06-cv-2079-GEB-GGH

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) ORDER

)

MERCK & COMPANY, INC., et al., )

 )

Defendants. )

)

Since it appears likely that this action will be transferred

to In re VIOXX Products Liability Litigation, Multidistrict Litigation

Proceeding No. 1657 in the Eastern District of Louisiana (“MDL-1657”),

in the interest of judicial economy, the pending motions are deemed

withdrawn and all hearings on the motions vacated, with the

understanding that the motions could be re-noticed for hearing in this

Court if the action is not transferred to MDL-1657, or could be

noticed in front of the judge assigned to MDL-1657 after the action is

transferred. 

Upon entry of this Order, further proceedings in this action

are stayed pending a decision on whether this action will be

transferred to MDL-1657, except Defendant Merck & Company, Inc.

(“Defendant”) shall file a status report no later than March 26, 2007,

Case 2:06-cv-02079-GEB-GGH Document 31 Filed 02/05/07 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

If Defendant elects to explain why sanctions should not 1

be imposed, it shall state in its written response whether a

hearing is requested on the sanctions issue. An Order to Show

Cause is not issued at this time since the judge’s docket is

congested. It should be obvious, however, that Defendant and its

counsel are expected to meet filing deadlines, and could be subject

to sanctions when deadlines are missed. 

2

in which it explains the status of its effort to transfer this action

to MDL-1657.

Since Defendant failed to file a status report by January

30, 2007, as required by this Court’s November 2, 2006 Status Order

(Nov. 2 Status Order, at 2), if Defendant fails to file a status

report by the above-stated deadline, Defendant is required to show

cause in a filing also due by March 26, 2007, why sanctions should not

be imposed for that failure.1

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 2, 2007

 

GARLAND E. BURRELL, JR.

United States District Judge

Case 2:06-cv-02079-GEB-GGH Document 31 Filed 02/05/07 Page 2 of 2