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Girl Awarded 10 Million In Lawsuit Against Motrin Part 2

As we discussed in the previous post, when parents of a 3-year old administered an over-the-counter ibuprofen for their daughter’s fever, they had no idea the results could include a rare and potentially fatal skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS), leaving her blind in one eye and fighting for her life in a burn unit.

The child’s doctors concluded the reaction was triggered by Children’s Motrin, a popular brand of ibuprofen sold over-the-counter at most pharmacies and drug stores, and a Pennsylvania jury ordered the manufacturer of the drug to pay the child’s family $10 million in a personal injury lawsuit for her injuries.

The child has spent the last ten years living with the effects of SJS/TENS, including repeated eye surgeries, recurrent eye and lung infections, seizures stemming from oxygen deprivation, and she will continue to face problems throughout her life, including the inability to have children.

While it may be impossible to disclose every possible side effect that could result from medications, informed consent requires disclosure of all information a reasonable person would want to know, which can often include certain information drug companies or physicians don’t want to or don’t consider necessary to disclose.

Many drugs on the market can trigger SJS/TENS, including antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, anti-anxiety drugs and anti-inflammatories. Non-prescriptive anti-inflammatory drugs like Children’s Motrin do not carry warning labels to make consumers aware of the potential danger of SJS/TENS.

The jury in this case found that the manufacturer of Children’s Motrin, Johnson & Johnson McNeil, was liable to the family for failing to provide sufficient warning to consumers about the possibility of toxic skin reactions like SJS/TENS, and ordered the manufacturer to pay the family $10 million in damages.

The adverse effects of both prescription and over-the-counter medication affect the lives of many people. If you or someone you know is dealing with the aftermath of adverse drug reactions, it is important to know your rights and whether you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Source: ABCNews.com “Motrin Lawsuit: Jury Awards Girl $10 Million for Burns and Blindness” Jane E. Allen, June 3, 2011.