Mike Wright and Michael Scivley obtained a defense verdict for a psychiatrist in a seven day trial in the US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Southern division. The case focused on a prescription for Lamotrigine (Lamictal) which was alleged to have caused the plaintiff to develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant breached the standard of care by prescribing an excessive dose of Lamictal in violation of the prescribing guidelines expressed in the PDR and in the product manufacturer’s literature which recommended a dosage of 25 mg daily. The dosage prescribed was 25 mg, twice daily, as the patient was bulimic and actively purging in the hospital. The hospital records documented statements from the patient that she was not, however, purging her medications. The patient experienced a severe reaction affecting most of her body surface area. She claimed damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, scarring & disfigurement. Her initial complaint also claimed punitive damages. The jury deliberated 5 1/2 hours and returned a verdict in favor of the defendant.
Wright & Scivley Obtain Defense Verdict for Psychiatrist in Seven Day Trial
August 1, 2015