Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is an allergic reaction to medication that has been linked to several common drugs, from over the counter (OTC) painkillers like Tylenol to Z-Pak, one of the most prescribed antibiotics on the market. Victims of SJS can pursue compensation from drug makers for their injuries.

SJS is a reaction to medication which starts with flushed skin or a red rash similar to poison oak exposure. It’s still a relatively rare reaction, and in fact many physicians may mistake it for a rash like poison oak and dismiss SJS victims. It’s crucial that SJS is diagnosed and treated right away.

Once it spreads to over 30 percent of the body, it’s re-classified as skin death and the odds for survival greatly decrease. The SJS rash soon gives way to blistering, with most of the blisters collecting in moist areas of the body such as the mouth, groin, eyes, and nose. This is why many people experience vision problems or even blindness as a result of the reaction.

There’s no cure for Stevens Johnson Syndrome. However, it’s paramount that victims are treated, usually in burn units of hospitals, in the hopes that infections can be warded off until the body can heal itself. After the blisters, the skin starts to slough off in layers. Unfortunately, even during this painful process the body must be cleaned on a regular basis, which is excruciating.

There are cases of children as young as two getting SJS from Tylenol and dying because SJS wasn’t treated in time. Vulnerable people such as young children and the elderly can go from rash to death overnight in some cases.

Adverse reactions to medication is serious, and many critics claim that many drugs don’t properly warn of SJS.

When this happens, people don’t know what signs to watch for and what risks they’re actually taking. It’s easy to brush off a rash as nothing of concern, when it might in fact be the beginning of SJS and spread in just a few short hours.

Some people have taken medication for years with no incident and suddenly get SJS for no apparent reason. Bodies are complex machines, and they can react differently to a well-used medication, even if you’ve been taking a certain drug for years. There are so many SJS medication complaints that an SJS class action lawsuit has been formed.

Each of the Plaintiffs say that the medication, which allegedly caused the reaction didn’t have adequate warnings about SJS or skin death. They didn’t know the full SJS hazards they were inadvertently signing up for, and in some cases survived with severe scarring similar to burn victims. People have gone completely blind and/or experienced serious disfigurement. The worst case scenarios involve loved ones suing for SJS wrongful death.

An SJS class action lawsuit can greatly help with ongoing medical bills. SJS survivors might require physical therapy for the rest of their life. Pain management, physical therapy and surgeries to correct disfigurements can lead to a hefty medical bill.

By filing a class action lawsuit, survivors can enjoy the benefits of a faster resolution without getting tied up with double discovery or risking different judges making different calls. Class action lawsuits can be formed when several people have similar complaints.

It may have been possible to avoid SJS with a different medication, such as an alternate painkiller or antibiotic. Both of these drugs are commonly taken and/or prescribed and there are many options available. Those who got SJS say they may have chosen a different drug had they been aware of SJS hazards.