California Woman Wins Largest SJS Award So Far at $6 Million

Los Angeles, CAIn what is a record award for an SJS case in the state of California, a Chinese immigrant has been granted more than US $6 million for her suffering with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS) following a round of therapy with the drug Allopurinol. The irony is that the plaintiff offered to settle on two separate occasions for far lesser amounts. Both attempts were rejected by the defendant in the case.

The August 6th edition of the SunHerald of Biloxi-Gulfport and South Mississippi chronicles the plight of the 82-year-old plaintiff—who was not identified in the story—and her legal battle with an osteopathic physician and registered pharmacist over the drug prescribed to her for an alleged attack of gout.

The plaintiff disputed the diagnosis but followed through on the recommendation to take Allopurinol. The onset of SJS/TENS eventually left the once-active and hale senior suddenly reliant on others for her activities of daily living.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and the more severe Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are rare, but life-threatening disorders affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Symptoms begin with flu-like complaints, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, eventually causing the skin and mucosal membranes to shed, or slough off. SJS is extremely painful and is treated like a burn injury, which can cause skin loss of between 10% and 30% of the total skin surface. TENS is the more severe cousin of SJS where more than 30% of the body's skin surface is affected. The latter has a 90% mortality rate. SJS/TEN is almost always caused by severe allergic reaction to certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Prior to the trial and the resulting large award by the trial jury, the plaintiff offered to settle in January for $250,000. However the defendant, who is both a physician and a pharmacist, declined the offer.

When the trial ultimately began in July, the plaintiff made a second offer to settle with the defendant—this time for $800,000. The defendant also refused the offers.

In hindsight, the defendant may have been better to accept, given that the $6 million dollar award was a record amount for an SJS/TENS case in the state of California.

It is not known if the defendant will appeal the ruling.