Jury Awards $21 Million to Woman Blinded By Prescription Drug Sulindac

Rick is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.

9/20/2010
Richard N. Shapiro
Comments (0)

Jury Awards $21 Million to Woman Blinded By Prescription Drug Sulindac

In what is apparently the largest jury award in New Hampshire history of this kind, a woman who went blind after taking a drug for shoulder pain has won $21 million in court for her injuries.

Karen Bartlett, 51, took the FDA-approved non-steroidal drug Sulindac (also known under the brand name Clinoril) for shoulder pain. Things went bad almost immediately and according to the Associated Press story on her dangerous drug product liability case, she wound up suffering extreme burns to her skin, mucous membranes, eyes, and other organs, all symptoms of potentially fatal Stevens-Jonson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolyis. Her lawyer claimed that she was "literally burned alive."

Bartlett, who is now legally blind, spent months in the hospital being treated for burns and scarring and also endured 12 horrible eye surgeries.

Bartlett sued the drug manufacturer Mutual Pharmaceutical Co. and convinced the jury that Mutual was liable because it should have known that the Sulindac was unreasonably dangerous to consumers and was the cause of her permanent disabilities. The verdict in her favor was a culmination of a 14-day trial and three days of jury deliberations.

Drug makers have a duty to warn patients fully about the side effects of prescription medications. When companies fail to meet this duty, patients injured or even killed by a drugs have an undeniable right to compensation for their pain and suffering and medical expenses. The jury that considered Bartlett's product liability claim recognized this obligation on the part of the manufacturer and ruled accordingly.

Our firm has also written extensively about other dangerous drugs/medications such as Fentanyl/Duragesic pain patch accidental overdose deaths, and the serious side effects/complications of Yaz/Yasmin birth control pills/medications.

RH

Category: Dangerous Drugs & Devices/Product Recalls

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling cases for victims of dangerous drugs and prescription drug errors. Check out our dangerous drug information page to learn more about side effects and recalls. We represent clients in dangerous drug, dangerous medical device, and faulty product claims throughout the USA when the product/device was sold nationwide.

Our firm has been recognized as one of the best injury law firms in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report since 2010. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and have been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro, Lewis and Appleton have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers are chosen to receive this honor.

In addition, our firm was the first in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can get back to you.

Best Virginia Injury Lawyers

There are no comments.

Search Our Site

Get help Now!

Practice Areas

Jury Awards $21 Million to Woman Blinded By Prescription Drug Sulindac

Post a comment