Family Awarded $63M in Children’s Motrin Lawsuit

Samantha T. Reckis was 7 years old when she suffered a severe allergic reaction to Children’s Motrin, a version of ibuprofen made by drug giant Johnson & Johnson. She developed blisters and fatigue. Then she was diagnosed with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, a rare and serious reaction to some medications, including ibuprofen.

The family sued Johnson & Johnson and on Wednesday the Plymouth Superior Court awarded the family $63 million.

Reckis is now legally blind and cannot walk more than 150 yards without exhaustion, her family said.

According to Boston.com:

The jury found that Johnson & Johnson and the division that makes the medicine, McNeil Consumer & Speciality Pharmaceuticals, failed to provide warnings about potential side effects on the versions of Motrin that are sold over-the-counter. The jury awarded the girl $50 million and each parent $6.5 million. The decision must still be reviewed by the trial judge.

If upheld by the trial judge the total verdict against Johnson & Johnson, McNeil Consumer & Speciality Pharmaceuticals, with interest could ultimately be worth $109 million.

Johnson & Johnson disagreed with the verdict and is considering its legal options.