Massachusetts

Mass. Court Upholds $63M Judgment Against J&J

A Superior Court jury ruled in 2013 that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide sufficient warnings about the potential side effects of Motrin

The highest court in Massachusetts has upheld a $63 million judgment against the manufacturer of Children's Motrin awarded to a family whose daughter developed a life-threatening disease after taking the over-the-counter medicine.

A Superior Court jury ruled in 2013 that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide sufficient warnings about the potential side effects of Motrin.

Samantha Reckis was 7 in 2003 when she was given the ibuprofen product to reduce a fever. She suffered a rare skin disease known as toxic epidermal necrolysis and was blinded.

Johnson & Johnson appealed on several grounds, including that the family failed to prove the medicine caused the disease and that damages were excessive.

The Supreme Judicial Court rejected those arguments in Friday's decision.

A company spokeswoman woman did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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