Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare but extremely serious disorder that affects the skin and mucous membranes. SJS is usually caused by an immune system reaction to certain medications. The condition begins with flu-like symptoms followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. The blistered skin dies and peels off in sheets. SJS can cause serious complications such as permanent eye damage, lung and kidney problems, and death.
If you or a loved one suffered from SJS due to a medication side effect, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation from the drug company. To have the best chance of success, it’s important to find an experienced Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawyer. Here’s an overview of how to claim and find SJS legal representation:
Document Your Case
The first step is to gather all documentation related to your SJS diagnosis and treatment. This includes:
- Medical records that confirm your SJS diagnosis and note the severity of symptoms
- Records of all medications you were prescribed and taking when SJS developed
- Hospital bills and treatment costs related to SJS care
- Any communication with your doctor or pharmacist about medication side effects
- Photos of skin damage and other visible SJS symptoms
Thorough documentation helps your lawyer prove when and how SJS occurred, the extent of damage and expenses, and the medication link.
Prove Medication Caused SJS
To have a strong claim, you must be able to demonstrate that a specific medication directly caused your SJS. Research the drug(s) you were taking and find out if SJS is a known side effect. Some common SJS-causing medications include:
- Anti-seizure drugs such as lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin
- Antibiotics including Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim), Levaquin (levofloxacin)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, Celebrex
- Allopurinol (for gout treatment)
Your lawyer can consult medical experts to provide opinions that the drug triggered SJS based on your timing of symptoms and medical history.
Choose the Right Law Firm
It’s critical to pick an experienced law firm that specializes in SJS cases and defective drug litigation. Key signs of a qualified SJS law firm:
- Extensive experience with SJS claims specifically, not just general personal injury or product liability cases
- A track record of winning large verdicts and settlements for SJS clients
- Medical experts on staff or partnerships with doctors familiar with SJS
- Sufficient resources to fully investigate your case and take on major drug companies
- National reach and ability to file your claim in the most favorable courts
A skilled SJS attorney knows how to prove medication causation, calculate and document all damages, and file either individual or class action lawsuits on behalf of SJS victims and families.
Evaluate Your Claim
Reputable SJS law firms offer free case evaluations. During a consultation, an attorney will:
- Review your medical records and documentation
- Discuss your SJS symptoms and treatment
- Determine which medication likely caused your SJS
- Assess the severity of your injuries and financial damages
- Analyze the strength of your potential case based on past SJS litigation
The lawyer will then advise if you have a valid claim and your best legal options. Many SJS cases settle out of court, but your attorney must be ready to take your case to trial if needed.
Negotiate a Contingency Fee Agreement
Most SJS lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront legal fees. The attorney receives a percentage of your settlement amount only if you win your case. A standard SJS contingency fee is 33-40% of the total settlement.
Make sure your fee agreement specifies if any case-related costs such as medical experts, depositions, or travel will be deducted from your eventual award or settlement. Discuss the lawyer’s contingency fee percentage to ensure it is reasonable based on the work required.
Trust an Experienced SJS Law Firm
Suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be traumatic, painful, and devastating. While no amount of money can make up for serious health problems, holding the responsible drug company liable can provide some sense of justice and compensation for harm done. An experienced SJS lawyer has the best ability to successfully handle your medication injury claim and get you the maximum financial recovery allowed by law. With the right legal representation, you can focus on healing while trusted attorneys work on getting you fair compensation.