Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawyers

What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious hypersensitivity reaction that damages the skin and the mucous membranes, and it’s most often triggered by a medication. The reaction makes the skin blister and peel, and it can turn life-threatening fast. More than 200 medications are linked to SJS and TEN, some far more strongly than others, and researchers believe more than 500,000 people are affected each year, women more often than men. Early intervention is critical to a good outcome, so if you or a loved one is dealing with SJS or TEN, it’s worth talking to an Atlanta Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawyer.

SJS vs toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

SJS and TEN are the same disease process at different levels of severity, measured by how much of the skin peels. Doctors call it Stevens-Johnson syndrome when the reaction covers a smaller area, and toxic epidermal necrolysis once more than 30% of the skin is involved. TEN is the most dangerous form, and it’s usually treated in a burn or intensive care unit. We cover this in more detail in the difference between SJS and TEN.

What are the symptoms of SJS and TEN?

SJS usually starts like the flu, then a painful rash and blisters appear and the skin begins to peel. Early symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms for the first couple of days, such as sore throat, cough, fever, and burning eyes;
• Hives;
• Blisters, which normally show up first in or around the mouth;
• A red or purple skin rash;
• Shedding of the skin;
• Skin pain;
• Swelling of the tongue;
• Swelling of the face.

What drugs and other causes are linked to SJS?

Most SJS and TEN cases are triggered by a medication, and less often by an infection. One source estimates that medications or upper respiratory infections set off 74% to 94% of cases. A short list of drugs causes most of them, including:

• Allopurinol/Zyloprim/Aloprim;
• Dilantin/Phenytoin; and
• Lamictal/Lamotrigine.

More than 200 medications have been tied to the condition in all. For the full picture, see which drugs are most likely to cause SJS. If you or your child took any of these medications and developed SJS or TEN, you may want to speak with an attorney about a potential case.

SJS and TEN in children

In children, medications are the most common cause of SJS and TEN. Symptoms usually appear within the first 8 weeks after starting the drug, with greater risk at higher doses and when the drug is introduced quickly. That’s why most drugs strongly associated with SJS and TEN are meant to be started at very low levels and titrated, or increased, over time, with close monitoring by a physician.

What happens if you’re diagnosed with SJS or TEN?

An SJS or TEN diagnosis can bring on serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, so it needs urgent medical care. The skin reaction can open the door to conditions like meningitis and sepsis, and survivors can be left with lasting damage to the eyes, internal organs, and skin.

Meningitis is an infection of the membrane and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Sepsis is a body-wide inflammatory infection that happens when bacteria from a major infection enter the bloodstream and spread. It’s life-threatening because it can cause shock and organ failure.

If you’re diagnosed with SJS or TEN, you may face eye problems, organ damage, or permanent skin damage, and you may need follow-up care with ophthalmologists, pulmonologists, and dermatologists, among others. Seek immediate medical attention, and stop taking the triggering medication after consulting your doctor. Once SJS or TEN is diagnosed or suspected, serious thought should be given to transfer to a designated burn center. You can find one through the American Burn Association.

Do you have a Stevens-Johnson syndrome case?

You may have a Stevens-Johnson syndrome case if a prescription or over-the-counter drug triggered your SJS or TEN, or if a provider missed the early warning signs. Medical negligence is often a factor. Common failures include not warning patients about a drug’s risks, misdiagnosing the reaction, and mishandling treatment, and any of these can worsen the condition and push it toward TEN.

Liability can extend to physicians, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers. Some manufacturers of drugs known to cause SJS and TEN fail to put adequate warnings on their labels, boxes, or package inserts. Many providers also fail to counsel patients about the early signs and the life-threatening stakes of waiting, so some patients keep taking the same drug after the reaction starts, which makes the outcome worse. In one study, researchers found that withdrawing the causative drug early cut the risk of death by 30% for each day before blisters developed. SJS and TEN are also frequently misdiagnosed, and that delay in treatment can be a medical malpractice claim on its own.

If a drug or a missed diagnosis caused your injury, our lawyers can review the records and explain your options. Learn more about how to pursue a Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawsuit.

How our Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawyers help

Childers, Schlueter & Smith is one of the only firms in the country with the specialized knowledge and skill to evaluate and litigate cases involving Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have won favorable settlements for many SJS and TEN clients and have tried these cases to verdict. We’ve held physicians, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers accountable for failures like inadequate warnings, improper prescriptions, and mishandling high-risk medications. Our reputation in this area is why many other law firms refer their SJS and TEN cases to us, and we help patients and families across the country.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome articles and resources

Our attorneys follow SJS and TEN developments closely. These resources go deeper on the causes, the drugs involved, and what to do if you think a medication caused your reaction:

• What causes Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
• What drugs are most likely to cause SJS?
• The difference between SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• SJS injuries linked to Lamictal use
• SJS linked to allopurinol use
• What do I do if I have an SJS or TEN claim?
• Did medical malpractice cause my Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

Contact Our Atlanta SJS Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one recently took an over-the-counter or prescription drug and developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, contact our lawyers at Childers, Schlueter & Smith to see how we can protect your legal rights. Our Atlanta Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawyers help patients and families all over the country, and we do it with unmatched experience and results.