Georgia Injury Law Blog
A man, who suffered severe skin rashes and blood blisters from the use of the painkiller Motrin, has been awarded $48 million for his injuries.The verdict came in California in a product liability lawsuit that has been closely watched by Atlanta personal injury lawyers. There are significant number of product liability claims arising out of ibuprofen pending in the United States. These cases include both serious personal injuries and wrongful death claims.
The plaintiff, a 22-year-old Southern California man says that he was 16 years old when he took Motrin for the treatment of aches and fever.That was in October 2005.What happened next was something he did not expect in his wildest dreams.His skin quickly erupted into lesions, and his mouth started filling up with blood blisters.
The man filed a lawsuit against McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and the manufacturer of Motrin.According to the lawsuit, the drug, which is easily available over the counter, did not come with enough warning about side effects.
The active ingredient in Motrin is ibuprofen, which is used for the management of mild pain and fever.Motrin belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which includes a number of other painkillers, including diclefenac.The health hazards associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use have recently become clear.
Last month, a study found that persons may be at a high risk of developing heart disorders from the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.The study found that taking a daily dose of these painkillers can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke by almost 40%.
Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be more dangerous than others.For instance, the researchers found that persons who used diclofenac regularly had a 2/5th higher risk of suffering heart problems.Persons on Ibuprofen had an 18% higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. In fact, doctors have recommended that persons with a history of heart attacks, strokes or hypertension regulate their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, in order to reduce health risks.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to lower low-temperature and for the treatment of mild pain.They are also used to reduce swelling.These drugs are commonly available over-the-counter.In recent years, there has been a lot of scrutiny of the health risks of over-the-counter painkillers.Most Americans don’t think twice about popping a painkiller for a headache or backache.Such indiscriminate use of these painkillers may be ill-advised, even though they’re easily available over-the-counter.
As this Motrin lawsuit shows, many of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs come with side effects.Most of the side effects may not be dangerous or life-threatening, but some are.For instance, ibuprofen comes with side effects that include headaches, dizziness, and anxiety.Some persons may suffer from ear tinnitis or a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear.These are mild side effects, and may be no cause for alarm.However, if the side effects include blurred or double vision, disorientation, slurring, lack of focus, blood blisters, skin peels, and extensive rashes, Atlanta personal injury lawyers recommend that you seek emergency medical help.