In terms of the big picture, however, Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond said predicting Merck's total legal liability is tricky.

FORBES: A Hopeful Sign For Merck

The move enabled GM to immediately erase 25 percent of its total worldwide pension liability.

FORBES: Ford's Leaky Pension Boat Is A Multi-Billion Dollar Problem

Merck emerged as a victor in the seventh product-liability lawsuit related to its withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, bringing its total tally of wins in the litigation to four.

FORBES: Big Day For Merck

Anyone considering the use of MIW for natural gas extraction activities has the potential to incur long-term liability because just the act of moving contaminated water gives you total responsibility for it in the future.

FORBES: Fracking With Bad Water