A lawsuit was filed today in federal court in Texas by the widow and son of Larry Alan Stanford, a 60-year-old man who died of a heart attack while taking Avandamet, a combination of Avandia and metformin. And when did he die? On May 21, the same day that Steve Nissen’s notorious meta-analysis was released by the New England Journal of Medicine.

“I know Larry’s family will never forget the date May 21, 2007, and I sincerely hope neither does GlaxoSmithKline,” says Stephen Drinnon, the family lawyer.

It’s not clear if this is very first such lawsuit, but this was wholly predictable. From the moment the Nissen study began circulating, lawsuits were being solicited by chicken catchers - the attorneys who advertise for clients. Next month, a special conference will be held in Chicago to tutor lawyers on how to sue Glaxo. Just $695 for one day. The chicken pluckers will be there, too.