Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Nets Victim $21 Million

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Nets Victim $21 Million

By Andrea Gressman

Karen Bartlett, 51, has just become a multi-millionaire upon receiving a $21 million settlement from a federal jury in her Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit. After deliberating for 3 days in her SJS lawsuit against pharmaceutical company, Mutual Pharmaceutical Co., in regards to health problems brought on by Steven Johnsons Syndrome, the jury awarded her the sum of $21 million. Mutual Pharmaceutical Co., which is based in Philadelphia, was found guilty for Bartlett’s injuries following extreme burns of the skin, eyes, and mucus membranes after taking the anti-inflammatory drug Sulindac, a generic form of Clinoril.

Upon being prescribed Sulindac, Karen began to show symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Although this disease is uncommon it is a very serious and sometimes even fatal disease brought about by allergic reactions to medication. This rare diseases leads to skin burns, internally to externally, and forms severe blisters and rashes. It also negatively affects the linings of the victim’s internal organs and mucus membrane. SJS may lead to death if left untreated; a full recovery without adverse long-term side effects is quite rare.

Patients suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome are often treated in a hospital’s ICU or Burn Unit and recovery does not come easy. It is often long and very painful. The Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit Bartlett filed indicated she was given the prescription for Sulindac as a treatment for shoulder pain she experienced in 2005. After two weeks, the first symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome began. Her skin showed signs of an allergic reaction, visible on her face and around her eyes.