SJS-Stevens Johnson Syndrom

Video Transcript:

Cindy Speaker:  What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?  That’s our topic on this episode of Main Street Law.  My guest is North Carolina lawyer Greg Jones and he is going to talk with us today about this horrible disease and the legal issues that are sometimes relevant in these matters.  So Greg, thanks for being with me today.

Greg Jones:  Thank you Cindy

Cindy Speaker: Well, Greg tell us what is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Greg Jones:  Stevens Johnson… life threatening disease… allergic reactions… ibuprofen, Tylenol…. Very simple drugs.

Cindy Speaker:  Well that’s actually rather frightening, that it can be caused by rather common drugs.  What is the frequency of this occurrence?

Greg Jones:  Thankfully it’s very rare…. No pre-indication…sensitivity to sulphur.  Not always the case.

Cindy Speaker:  Greg, tell us what they symptoms are and how they are evidenced.

Greg Jones:  Well, usually first symptoms are rash… sores in mouth, start getting rash, problems with eyes.  Skin slouths off… blindness, death if not treated quickly and appropriately.

Cindy Speaker:  Now Greg you’re involved in many of these cases.  How does that usually come about and how are you able to help these victims.

Greg Jones: Usually what happens is… people contact me once loved one has contracted horrible disease…. Usually have gotten to doctore….. TEN… SJS… meet in burn center… been treated… serious problem… normally I do not sue doctors… normally sue the drug manufacturer… vast majority of these drugs do now warn… products liability… failure to warn…. Get medical bills paid, lost wages, pain and suffering… some of these cases in ICU but most severe in burn units… skin falls off… no outside skin… that’s deadly… usually in a burn center.

Cindy Speaker:  What is the prognosis in these cases.  Do people usually recover from this?

Greg Jones:  Thankfully, if it’s caught in time, yes. … often permanent damage…. But hopefully dr recognizes soon enough… get adequate treatment… keep away blindness… often there is horrible injury…. Or damage is more internal than external….1 min in med school…. Do not treat it aggressively… one reason I like talking to you and others… make aware of this problem.

Cindy Speaker:  Well, as you said a lot of doctors don’t know much about this and my guess would be that there are not a lot of lawyers that understand the complexity of these cases.  You obviously do.  Now Greg you’re headquartered in NC but you handle these cases all over the country, isn’t that true?

Greg Jones: That’s true… when I need to I will associate with local attorneys. … every 50 states and some territories… only in the US…. Territories like Puerto Rico.

Cindy Speaker:  Greg, if someone wants more information how can they reach you?

Greg Jones:  They can reach me directly… YouTube page (put link up -), my own website – www.gregjoneslaw.com, I have specialty websites,(see below Jay for sites) personal email address greg@gregjoneslaw.com … call me at 800-693-6903… I have 24 hr answering service… they’ll call me.

Cindy Speaker:  Well, Greg thanks so much for your time today.

Greg Jones:  Thank you Cindy, I really appreciate this opportunity to talk with you.

Cindy Speaker: This is Cindy Speaker for StateLawTV