Steven Johnson Syndrome Lawyer & SJS Attorney

Stevens Johnson Syndrome - Legal Guide

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is a rare but life-threatening condition that is generally caused by a severe allergic reaction to medication. Doctors admit they do not understand the mechanism of action of SJS, most believe it results from damage to the blood vessels in the skin, which can cause secondary damage to surrounding tissues. Many victims of SJS develop painful lesions, blisters, and scarring on the skin and underlying mucous membranes.

The public did not know much about SJS until the Second World War, when use of antibiotic drugs derived from sulfonamides became widespread. These drugs were used to prevent infection in battlefield wounds, and quickly became a common first aid treatment before the availability of penicillin. Unfortunately, "sulfa", as it was called, could trigger extreme allergic reactions that many medical professionals had no experience treating.

Over the next few decades, sulfonamides were used in a larger variety of medicines than antibiotics. Recently, the popular COX-2 Inhibitor drugs Celebrex and Bextra triggered a number of severe reactions such as SJS, and experts believe that other drugs such as common antibiotics, barbiturates, Dilantin, Lamictal, and Viramune could potentially cause outbreaks of SJS as well.

If you or someone you love developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome due to a medication, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injury and loss. You must act now, for laws called statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take legal action against those responsible for your devastating condition. If you wait, you could lose everything. A Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawyer can help change your life for the better. Contact a Steven Johnson Syndrome lawyer today.

SJS Symptoms and SJS Treatment

The first SJS symptoms usually begin with skin lesions that can start in a number of locations on the body. These lesions may first appear as small nodules, or shaped in symmetrical pale and red concentric rings that can resemble a target or an iris. These small nodules can develop into large or small blisters on the extremities, and can spread from the legs, arms, palms, hands, and feet to the face, lips and genitals. SJS symptoms usually avoid the middle or trunk section as they unite along the rest of the body. Other SJS symptoms generally include:

• Joint pain
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Itching
• Mouth sores
• Dry, bloodshot eyes
• Vision problems
• Eye pain, itching, burning, and discharge

In advanced stages of SJS, the victim "sheds" their skin as the disease ravages their underlying mucous membranes. Some extreme cases of SJS can destroy eye tissues and cause blindness or spread to internal organs such as the lungs, heart, kidney, and liver. Other times the blisters can spread through the vaginal area, and cause some victims to lose their fingernails and hair.

SJS treatment usually requires early diagnosis and prompt medical attention. In some cases SJS triggered by an allergic reaction, discontinuing the medication can help reduce the symptoms. Unfortunately, many people confuse early stage SJS with the flu or a skin rash, and thus do not seek the medical help they need. Conventional SJS treatment uses many of the same techniques to treat severe burns. Mild SJS requires simple moist compresses, antihistamines, over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, and topical anesthetics for rashes or mouth lesions. Severe SJS can require corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics to control infections, and hospitalization in burn treatment facilities.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of many common medications. If you or someone you love developed this dangerous condition, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Let a knowledgeable and compassionate defective drug attorney help you get the restitution you deserve. Don't suffer in silence. Make the first step, and contact a Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawyer today.

Drugs Linked to SJS

Scientists and doctors have recently discovered a number of popular drugs linked to SJS, and unfortunately many were discovered only after dozens of people suffered from this terrible disease. Some of the most common drugs linked to SJS include:

• Bextra: G.D. Searle marketed this popular COX-2 Inhibitor was a popular treatment for arthritis before it was taken off the market in 2005 due to increased dangers of cardiovascular problems as well as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
• Celebrex: Like Bextra, Celebrex was a COX-2 Inhibitor designed to treat arthritis as well as painful menstrual periods. It contains sulfonamide, which can trigger SJS in people with such allergies. Even though this drug remains on the market it still poses the same threat of potential SJS reactions.
• Vioxx: Many doctors consider Vioxx to be the most dangerous COX-2 Inhibitor. It has recently been the subject of legal action due to its propensity to cause severe cardiovascular problems, as well as SJS.
• Daypro: A popular pain reliever, after one year Daypro had a higher rate of SJS than any other prescription Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug on the market. It has allegedly been responsible for four deaths due to serious skin problems. Although studies have shown it is no more effective than aspirin, it remains a popular treatment because patients need to take it only once a day.
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Children's Motrin, Advil): Even common over-the-counter pain relievers have been known to trigger allergic skin reactions that can lead to SJS. In fact, a 13 year old girl died after only a few doses of Children's Advil, which at the time had no warning labels to advise people of the potential dangers.
• Antibiotics: Many antibiotics contain significant amounts of sulfa, which is well known to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Bactrim and Septra are two antibiotics linked to SJS in some people.

Part of the danger of SJS is that many symptoms do not appear until one to two weeks after beginning drug treatment, and many people disregard any potential SJS symptoms as a cold or the flu.

Pharmaceuticals should never cause more harm than good and your safety should never be put at risk unjustly. If you or someone you love was injured by a drug that claimed to be safe, you may have the right to compensation for your pain and suffering. You must not hesitate, for statute of limitation laws cap the amount of time you have to take legal action. Let an experienced and professional SJS lawyer help you take control of your life today.

Other SJS Related Diseases

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a deadly and potentially fatal skin condition that causes painful lesions and blisters across the body. Doctors are at a loss to adequately explain the mechanism that causes the condition, but most physicians believe that an outside variable such as a disease or drug causes an allergic reaction in the blood vessels or mucus membranes under the skin. SJS is sometimes considered the middle form of a family of conditions that includes Erythema Multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome, or TENS, is often considered an extreme form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The lesions of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis spread rapidly over the body, usually between three and five days, and in extreme cases the lesions extend to the genitals, eyes, and internal organs. Furthermore, while SJS can cause severe blistering, TENS can actually cause the skin to slough off or shed in large chunks. This occurs because the mucous membranes under the skin react violently in people who have allergies to certain drugs such as Bextra, Celebrex, Daypro, or Advil. TENS is potentially fatal, and some estimates put the fatality rate at 40%.

Many doctors consider Erythema Multiforme a less severe form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Erythema Multiforme begins much the same way as SJS, but the skin lesions are not as severe as other forms of the disease. Treatment for EM usually involves moist compresses on the skin lesions, antihistamines to reduce irritation and itching, moderate over-the-counter pain relievers, and topical anesthetics to help eliminate pain from lesions inside the mouth that can interfere with eating.

If you or someone you love developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis due to the devastating effects of Bextra, Celebrex, Daypro, or any other drug, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. You must consult an SJS lawyer as soon as possible, for the statute of limitations in your state could end your case before it has a chance to begin. Don't allow drug makers to endanger your health. Contact an experienced Steven Johnson lawyer today.

Other SJS Related Diseases

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a deadly and potentially fatal skin condition that causes painful lesions and blisters across the body. Doctors are at a loss to adequately explain the mechanism that causes the condition, but most physicians believe that an outside variable such as a disease or drug causes an allergic reaction in the blood vessels or mucus membranes under the skin. SJS is sometimes considered the middle form of a family of conditions that includes Erythema Multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome, or TENS, is often considered an extreme form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The lesions of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis spread rapidly over the body, usually between three and five days, and in extreme cases the lesions extend to the genitals, eyes, and internal organs. Furthermore, while SJS can cause severe blistering, TENS can actually cause the skin to slough off or shed in large chunks. This occurs because the mucous membranes under the skin react violently in people who have allergies to certain drugs such as Bextra, Celebrex, Daypro, or Advil. TENS is potentially fatal, and some estimates put the fatality rate at 40%.

Many doctors consider Erythema Multiforme a less severe form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Erythema Multiforme begins much the same way as SJS, but the skin lesions are not as severe as other forms of the disease. Treatment for EM usually involves moist compresses on the skin lesions, antihistamines to reduce irritation and itching, moderate over-the-counter pain relievers, and topical anesthetics to help eliminate pain from lesions inside the mouth that can interfere with eating.

If you or someone you love developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis due to the devastating effects of Bextra, Celebrex, Daypro, or any other drug, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. You must consult an SJS lawyer as soon as possible, for the statute of limitations in your state could end your case before it has a chance to begin. Don't allow drug makers to endanger your health. Contact an experienced Steven Johnson lawyer today.

SJS Facts and Statistics information

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a painful, devastating, and potentially life-threatening disease that can claims the lives of almost 100,000 people every year. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the existence of this silent killer, although most medical experts believe that a better of understanding of this disease could help save thousands of lives. These SJS facts and stats should help provide a greater understanding of this dangerous disease.

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome kills almost 100,000 people a year
• Most cases of SJS are caused by drug reactions
• If skin lesions cover more than 30% of the body, doctors usually term it Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS)
• Some of the most common drugs linked to SJS are Bextra, Celebrex, Vioxx, Daypro, Ibuprofen, Bactrim, Sepra and other antibiotics.
• Other common causes include herpes simplex, the flu, mumps, and the Epstein-Barr virus. Ginseng has also been linked to SJS in some cases.
• The initial symptoms of SJS are fever, skin irritation, general ill feeling, followed by blisters and lesions. Experts speculate that some of the fatalities caused by SJS could be prevented if the signs were recognized early enough.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is without doubt one of the most painful skin conditions imaginable. Victims of this terrible disease often have to seek out treatment in burn injury centers because the disease often causes the same types of injuries. TENS and SJS are particularly dangerous because blisters and lesions can become infected and cause severe damage to an already compromised system.

If you or someone you know developed SJS or TENS due to an allergic reaction caused by a medication, you may be entitled to take legal action against those responsible. You could be compensated for your pain and suffering, but you must act quickly. Laws in your state called statute of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take action. Contact an SJS lawyer today.

SJS News Stories

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome has received a great deal of media attention lately, as more and more people have discovered the heartbreak of this debilitating and painful disease. Unfortunately, many of these new victims are children, most of whom have severe allergic reactions to medications. The most recent SJS news story involves an 11 year old girl who developed SJS from antibiotics in April, 2006 due to a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. She developed skin rashes over her hands, arms legs, and face as the lesions covered almost her entire body.

Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration halted production on the children's attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug Sparlon due to recent findings in a patient safety study. In March of 2006, the FDA discovered that clinical trial data revealed that four of the participants developed SJS, as opposed to the standard rate of one out of one million occurrences. The FDA determined that this rate was too high to be safe, and thus requested further safety before approving the drug.

The bi-polar drug Lamectal was linked to the severe case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome in a 17 year old girl in California in 2005. Her condition was initially confused with mononucleosis but she was properly diagnosed with an allergic reaction to Lamectal when the rashes spread to her mouth and eyes. She recovered her vision but is left with scars as a constant reminder of the dangers of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

In one of the most shocking drug-related SJS stories, a seven year old girl suffered permanent blindness when the disorder spread to her eyes after she took Children's Motrin. There was no prior warning to advise parents of the potential for the drug to cause severe allergic reactions, and innocent children are paying the price for the negligence of drug companies who put their profits ahead of the safety of their customers.

These SJS new stories reflect a growing trend of the irresponsibility of drug companies to adequately advise their customers on the potential dangers of their products. There is never an excuse when a drug causes more harm than good, and these irresponsible companies should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If you or someone you know suffered from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or any other skin-related complication due to medication, you may be entitled to collect compensation for your traumatic condition. Contact a dedicated and professional SJS lawyer today.

Help for SJS Victims and Families

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can strike anyone, of any age, at almost any time. Although most people are unfamiliar with the specifics of this terrible disease, recently it has been linked to a number of severe allergic reactions caused by popular drugs Advil, Motrin, Bextra, and Celebrex, and Ibuprofen. Several recent incidents linking SJS and other dangerous conditions like Erythema Multiforme and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have caused doctors, lawyers, and the public alike to reevaluate the safety of common over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

These innocent victims who suffer from this tragic condition must take legal action to protect their rights. Pharmaceutical companies have an obligation to provide safe products for public consumption, and when these products cause profound harm, lawyers step in to take the side of those injured due to negligence or oversight. The victims of SJS frequently suffer long-term disability such as scarring, blindness, and internal trauma, and these people deserve to be compensated for their pain and suffering.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawyers balance the need for aggressive legal representation with the sensitivity appropriate to the devastating and sometimes disfiguring disease. Pharmaceutical companies have enormous amounts of resources at their disposal, and regularly spend millions of dollars defending themselves against claims related to their defective products. A lawyer who is experienced in defective drug litigation can help represent you in your fight for justice and get you the compensation you deserve.

If you or someone you love has needlessly developed SJS due to a drug-related reaction, you need to take quick action. You may have the right to pursue a financial settlement, but time restrictions called statute of limitations can end your case before you can even get started. Don't lose your opportunity to stand up for yourself and your rights. Contact a dedicated, professional, and experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawyer today.

These SJS new stories reflect a growing trend of the irresponsibility of drug companies to adequately advise their customers on the potential dangers of their products. There is never an excuse when a drug causes more harm than good, and these irresponsible companies should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If you or someone you know suffered from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or any other skin-related complication due to medication, you may be entitled to collect compensation for your traumatic condition. Contact a dedicated and professional defective SJS lawyer today.

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