The parents of four Nigerian children who died of meningitis have become the first winners of a 15-year legal battle against Pfizer over a fiercely controversial drug trial…[Pfizer] announced…that it had made payments of $175,000 (£108,000) to each family. More such compensation settlements are expected to follow. Pfizer was sued after 11 children died in a clinical trial…in 1996…"We are pleased that these four individuals, the first group of qualified claimants of the Healthcare/Meningitis Trust Fund, have received compensation," said a spokesman. "This is the first step in a multiphase review process by which the independent board of trustees that manages the funds will deliver payments to all other claimants.