Motrin is a popular painkiller for children. Until 2005, the label did not carry warnings about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a painful and sometimes deadly allergic skin rash that is more likely to occur in children. In recent years, juries have awarded more than $120 million to children with SJS.
Need a Texas Motrin Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with SJS, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Children’s Motrin Lawsuit Awarded $10 Million
In July 2014, Johnson & Johnson lost an appeal of a $10 million jury verdict awarded to a 3 year-old girl who nearly died from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after taking Children’s Motrin in 2000. She lost 84% of her skin, went blind in one eye, and suffered brain damage.
Over $100 Million Awarded in Motrin SJS Lawsuits
In September 2011, $48 million was awarded by a jury in California to a man who developed SJS after taking Motrin in October 2005. He was 15 years old at the time, and suffered permanent organ damage.
In February 2013, $63 million was awarded by a jury in Massachusetts to a 7 year-old girl who nearly died from SJS after taking Motrin in 2003. The rash covered 90% of her skin, caused blindness in both eyes, reduced her lung capacity to 20% of normal, and some brain damage. She was diagnosed with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), the most severe form or SJS.
What is Motrin?
Motrin is the brand-name of ibuprofen, a painkiller and fever-reducer that is used by millions of people every year. Motrin belongs to a class of drugs known as “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs,” or NSAIDs.
Children’s Motrin and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) was reported as a side effect of ibuprofen in the 1980s. Studies showed that children had higher rates of SJS from ibuprofen than adults. However, it was not until 2005 that the label on Children’s Motrin carried warnings about SJS. Lawsuits involving children who were injured before 2005 have ended in jury awards exceeding $100 million.
Updated SJS Warnings on Motrin
Children’s Motrin has a warning label recommending that patients seek emergency medical attention at the first sign of a skin rash or allergic reaction, unless it is clearly not drug-related. Early symptoms of SJS include a rash anywhere on the body (red, raised, and painful) that spreads within hours or days. It is often accompanied by a flu-like illness, fatigue, fever, and nausea.
What is SJS?
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) causes a painful skin rash, blisters, and inflammation of mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, genitals, etc.). After a few days, the top layer of skin dies and peels off the body. The complications may include infections, blindness, brain damage, reduced lung capacity, organ failure, scarring, and death.
What is the risk?
SJS is almost always caused by allergic reactions to medications. Over 100 medications are known to cause SJS, and just one dose of Motrin can cause SJS. The risk is low, but most cases are very serious. When the rash covers less than 10% of the skin, the risk of death is around 5%. When the rash covers more than 30% of the skin, up to 50% of cases are deadly.
Motrin and Birth Defects
In 2011, a study involving more than 20,000 women associated several birth defects with the use of NSAID painkillers during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. The birth defects included spina bifida (60% more common), cleft lip or palate (30-80% more common), eye defects, clubfoot, and amniotic band syndrome (60% more common).
Need a Motrin Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Motrin lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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