Jury Awards Plaintiff $15 Million in Botox Injury Case

OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma state jury has awarded $15 million to a gynecologist who claims she suffered botulism poisoning after receiving Botox Cosmetic. Helton v. Allergan Inc., No. CJ-2009-2171 (Okla. Dist., Oklahoma Co.).

The Oklahoma County District Court jury found 9-3 that Allergan Inc. negligently failed to warn doctors and consumers of the anti-wrinkle drug's side effects. The jurors voted 10-2 to award $15 million in actual damages to Dr. Sharla Helton. The jury did not award punitive damages, however, finding that Botox is not a defective product.

The three-week trial was presided over by Judge Barbara Swinton.

Helton, …