An Oklahoma City law firm on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the drugmaker Merck & Co., alleging that its arthritis drug Vioxx was defective and that the company failed to warn the public and healthcare providers of certain risks associated with taking the popular painkiller.

The lawsuit, filed by Federman & Sherwood and Strong, Martin & Associates on behalf of an Oklahoma City resident, alleges that Vioxx causes an increased risk of heart attack, blood clots and other serious cardiovascular events, which can lead to serious and permanent injuries and death, the attorneys said in a press release.

(via PR Newswire)