A woman left with brain damage after suffering the rare autoimmune reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) won a $120 million verdict, one of the largest in New York City history.

The woman, Jacqueline Martin, sought treatment for seizures in a New York City hospital. She developed SJS from her seizure medicine, suffering characteristic SJS symptoms including SJS rash with blisters.

Martin suffered brain damage from SJS. Her SJS lawsuit alleged that SJS and inadequate medical care after the reaction started contributed to her permanent injuries.

In general, SJS lawsuits are filed against drug companies, but Martin’s reflects a growing trend to file SJS lawsuits against hospitals that fail to recognize and properly treat the disorder. In this case, the judge ruled that various medical centers involved in her care shared responsibility for the SJS symptoms and subsequent disability Martin suffered, dividing the $120 million between four different hospitals.

What is SJS?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening autoimmune reaction. In autoimmune reactions, the immune system goes haywire and attacks the patient’s own body. In the case of SJS, the immune system attack the largest organ — the skin.

SJS starts with generalized, flu-like symptoms. However, after hours or days, these SJS symptoms escalate to an SJS rash. The rash starts with sores, then blisters and ulcers form. The rash can also damage the eyes and even the surface of internal organs.

Since medical science has not fully unraveled many aspects of SJS, doctors are limited in treatment options. Mostly, physicians are limited to supportive therapy, or treating the symptoms and making the patient comfortable, while the reaction runs its course.

The most extreme cases of SJS evolve into a related disorder called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or TEN. TEN symptoms are even more extreme, with patches of skin dying and sloughing off, leaving burn-like wounds all over the body. The damage from TEN is so similar to thermal burns that hospitals often treat TEN in their burn wards. Patients face the same threats, including dehydration, hypothermia, and deadly secondary infections.

Even those who survive SJS symptoms may face a lifetime of complications. The damage to the skin can leave permanent, disabling and disfiguring scars. Additionally, damage to the eyes can leave a person permanently blind. Along similar lines, damage to internal organs can leave a patient with permanently impaired organ function.

Nearly all cases of SJS and TEN can be traced back to an unusual reaction to drugs. It is difficult to determine who will develop SJS or TEN from what drugs.