A judge has determined that no errors of law were made in the $10M dangerous drug verdict that was awarded to the family of Brianna Maya. The girl, then 3, reportedly showed symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome after taking Children’s Tylenol and Children’s Motrin for a fever.
Maya was hospitalized after what began as redness close to her eyes and a rash became blisters on her skin and inside her body. She developed wounds on over 80% of her body, became blind in one eye, suffered organ damage, and experienced scarring on her skin, seizures, and periodic infections. She has also had to undergo a number of eye surgeries.
Her family sued Johnson & Johnson subsidiary McNeil Consumer Healthcare in 201l. A jury found that the defendant did not provide proper warnings that a consumer might develop SJS or Toxic Epidermal Necrolosysis and issued the $10M verdict.
SJS & TEN
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a serious skin disorder involving the mucous membranes reacting severely to infection or medication. What seems like it might just be the flu ends up turning into painful rashes and blisters that can kill the top layer of skin, perhaps even causing areas of it to fall off, and lead to other serious complications. Medications that have been known to cause this condition include:
• Iburofen (Advil, Nutrin, Children’s Motrin, Children’s Advil, Nuprin)
• Leavquin • Bactrim • Dilantin • Ketek • Cox-2 (Vioxx, Celebrex, Daypro, Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Kids are especially vulnerable to SJS as an allergic drug reaction.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolosysis is considered by many to be a more serious form of SJS. Also linked to drug reactions, TEN leads to even more extensive detachment of the necrotic epidermal, impacting an even greater percentage of the body. Both SJS and TEN can be life-threatening.
Drugs that can lead to serious side effects are supposed to provide proper warnings. Also, ideally, their side effects shouldn’t be so dire that someone’s life is placed in jeopardy as a result. Pharmaceutical companies know that a serious drug reaction can prove catastrophic in some cases and it is their job to make sure that the medications that they make, distribute, and sell are not dangerous drugs.
You want to work with a drug litigation law firm that has the experience, manpower, and resources to give you the best chance of financial recovery possible. Stevens-Johnson syndrome injury cases can sometimes take awhile to resolve and you want to know that you have a legal team that can help you get and keep the damages that you are owed.
No amount of money can ease your child’s suffering, but it can help provide some financial relief for associated costs, while allowing you to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, MayoClinic
Motrin Lawsuit: Jury Awards Girl $10 Million for Burns and Blindness, ABC News, June 3, 2011
More Blog Posts:
Severe Skin Reactions Caused by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome are Linked to Different Prescription and OTC Medications, Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, August 29, 2012
Man Awarded $48.1M Dangerous Drug Verdict in Products Liability Lawsuit Over Motrin, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, October 7, 2011
Boston, Massachusetts Accutane Lawsuits Blame Acne Drug for Severe Intestinal Problems, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, August 2, 2011