The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on April 17 affirmed a $63 million Children’s Motrin verdict.

Samantha R. was 7 years old when she took Children’s Motrin ibuprofen a decade ago. Shortly after taking the drug, the girl suffered a serious life-threatening side effect known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (a more severe form of the allergic skin reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome). She lost 90% of her skin, was blinded, and suffered severe respiratory impairment.

In 2007, her parents sued Children’s Motrin maker McNeil-PPC Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson in the Plymouth County Superior Court. At issue in the Motrin SJS lawsuit was the warning label Johnson & Johnson used for Children’s Motrin. Generally, in a product liability action, a manufacturer can be sued under one of three theories:

• Defective design,
• Defective manufacturing process, or
• Defective warning and labeling

In this case, the family argued that Johnson & Johnson failed to meet its labeling requirement. The jury agreed.

After five weeks of trial, the jury concluded that the health care giant had been negligent in its duty to sufficiently warn patients about the dangerous SJS side effects that could occur when taking the over-the counter drug. The jury awarded Samantha $50 million in compensatory damages and awarded her parents $6.5 million each for loss of consortium. With interest, the total amount awarded in this Motrin SJS lawsuit $109 million.

The court denied the defendants’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial.  If the court decision is upheld, the damages for Johnson & Johnson will be the largest on record.

SJS, TEN, and Motrin

Motrin is a painkiller that is available in both adult and children’s formulas. The over-the-counter medication is available in many forms, including caplets, tablets, chewable tablets, gelcaps, drops, and liquid. The medication is taken to relieve a variety of aches, pains, feverishness, and other common ailments. However, attention has recently been drawn to the dangers of taking this ibuprofen-based medication, such as the dangers of contracting Motrin Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Concerns have been raised with regards to the connection between ibuprofen products, such as Motrin, and the potentially fatal skin disease Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). SJS is a disease that has been linked to a number of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. At best, SJS can cause massive discomfort and pain; at worst, this disease can result in death.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can start with non-specific symptoms such as coughing, aching, headaches, and feverishness. According to the Mayo Clinic, before the onset of an SJS rash, patients often experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, sore throat, cough and burning eyes. These SJS symptoms may be followed by a red rash across the face and the trunk of the body, which can continue to spread to other parts of the body. The SJS rash can form into blisters, and these blisters can form in sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and vaginal area.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can develop into an even more serious condition called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is fatal in as many as 40 percent of TEN cases. In Samantha’s case she was lucky enough to survive, but the illness left her with brain, lung and liver damage.

Motrin SJS Lawsuits

SJS litigation resulting from adverse effects and even wrongful death in connection with Motrin and other similar ibuprofen-based drugs is growing. It is advisable for anyone that has been taking Motrin to remain vigilant for SJS symptoms and immediately seek medical attention at the first sign of Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Those affected by Motrin SJS may consider filing an SJS lawsuit. Depending on the damage caused by taking this drug, patients or family members may be able to receive compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering.