Health Law

Trial Begins in Botox Lawsuit

By David Austin

A jury was selected earlier this week for the lawsuit brought about by the parents of a seven-year-old girl who died due to Botox. The trial for the cerebral palsy lawsuit will take place in Santa Ana, California. The plaintiffs, who are from Texas, have filed just one of 15 lawsuits that are recently taking place due to wrongful death and injuries due to Botox injections.

The makers of Botox, Allergan, deny any claims that their drug is being wrongfully used or is responsible for the deaths and injuries mentioned in the lawsuits. This week's trial focuses on the little girl from Texas who suffered from muscle spasms due to the cerebral palsy she was born with. In many instances, Botox is being used to help treat muscle spasms in children with cerebral palsy. Though primarily, the injections are used to help smooth wrinkles.

Life Taken Too Soon

The cerebral palsy patient at the focal point of this specific trial reportedly died on November 24, 2007, after being injected with Botox. She had received seven sets of injections over a seventeen-month period to help the chronic spasms in her legs. However, her body did not react well to the treatment and her life was taken too soon as a result.

Doctors are legally permitted to inject Botox into their patient for purposes that they see medically sage and advisable. However, this specific use hasn't been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Allergan is claiming that the girl's premature death was due to a bacterial infection and had nothing to do with Botox. They also state that her doctor knew of the potential risks.

What Are Some Healthy Treatments for Muscle Spasms?

In light of the recent Botox lawsuits that have been filed in recent years regarding the drug and cerebral palsy patients, you may be wondering what some healthy treatment options may be for muscle spasms in the ones you love. Muscle relaxants are often used to help ease the discomfort and pain that comes with muscle spasms. But it's important to speak with your doctor about the right medication for your friend or family member since every medication affects patients differently. You also may want to try physical therapy, cooling, and exercise to help treat muscle spasms related to cerebral palsy. 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on January 26, 2010 (boomark / email).