$63 Million Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson Upheld

This week, Massachusetts’ highest court upheld a verdict of $63 million dollars against massive consumer product company Johnson & Johnson.  The case stems from allegations that Johnson & Johnson, which among many other things manufactures common over-the-counter household medications, failed to properly warn consumers about the dangers of Children’s Motrin.  Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in Motrin.

More than a decade ago, at age 7, Samantha Reckis developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis after taking the medication.  SJS and TEN are horrific complications that result in large portions of the top layer of a patient’s skin dying and sloughing off.  Samantha experienced additional symptoms, including lung and liver damage, heart failure, brain bleeding, and more.  Samantha’s claimed that the drug company should have informed consumers about such a serious side effect.

In 2013, a jury awarded Samantha $63 million for her injuries.  Johnson and Johnson appealed, claiming that Motrin is safe and effective, and that the exact causes of SJS and TEN are difficult to pinpoint.  The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts sided with the jury.

Samantha’s case was handled by the firm of Meehan, Boyle, Black, & Bogdanow.  The result calls for special recognition for my friends Leo Boyle and Michael Bogdanow, who are outstanding, pro-consumer attorneys.