Meredith Friesen  |  December 17, 2014

Category: Legal News

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Dilantin Stevens Johnson SyndromeMany individuals have claimed that Dilantin, a seizure medication, caused the development of dangerous skin conditions Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Dilantin SJS lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer claiming that the large drug manufacturer was aware of potential SJS risks but did not adequately warn users about those risks.

Dilantin SJS lawsuits have claimed that the drug caused the plaintiffs extreme pain and suffering, disability, mental pain, disfigurement, and loss of a normal life. Some allegedly lost their ability to perform normal household services due to Dilantin SJS.

Dilantin wrongful death lawsuits have also been filed against Pfizer. One was filed by the wife of Louisiana resident John T. who died from SJS on December 31, 2009. The wife added loss of consortium (loss of intimacy with a spouse) to the list of of claims against Pfizer.

Another Dilantin wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family of a 9-year-old girl. The family reportedly received $3.78 million in settlements.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

SJS is a rare but severe skin condition that is usually a reaction to a drug. It begins with flu-like symptoms and a red or purplish rash. It develops into blisters that cause the affected skin to burn from the inside out. The skin may peel off, leaving the body exposed for secondary infections.

SJS can also affect mucous membranes such as found in in the mouth, nose, eyes, and pelvic area.

When the affected skin covers more than 30 percent of the body, the diagnosis changes to TEN. TEN is much more serious and dangerous than SJS. The blistering may become so bad that the skin may slough off in larger sheets. TEN is often treated in burn wards due to the severity of the condition and the similarity to actual burns.

Five to 15 percent of SJS patients die from the condition. The fatality rate rises to 30-40 percent for TEN patients. However, even survivors of TEN may face lifelong side effects such as sepsis (blood infection), eye problems (even blindness), organ damage, and permanent skin damage.

One study that examined TEN cases in 15 burn centers suggested that 20 percent of the TEN cases were Dilantin TEN. According to this study, 25 percent of the cases were fatal.

Dilantin SJS Lawsuits

Dilantin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 to treat seizures. Since then, numerous adverse events have been reported to the FDA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Canada Adverse Event Database claiming that the seizure medication caused the development of SJS or TEN in some users.

When Pfizer submitted Bextra (a different drug) to Health Canada, they admitted that drugs with Dilantin increase the risks of adverse skin reactions. Bextra contains a warning about SJS, but Dilantin and Dilantin-containing drugs did not have this warning.

Dilantin SJS lawsuits claim that Pfizer was aware about the increased risk of developing SJS and TEN with taking Dilantin but failed to warn users about these side effects. Millions have already been paid in settlements to Dilantin SJS or Dilantin TEN victims.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The SJS attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Dilantin class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Dilantin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Help for Victims of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing an SJS lawsuit or class action lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free and confidential review of your case by filling out the form below.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.