Appellate court upholds trial verdict for a teenage patient who suffered Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and partial vision loss after being overprescribed for an anti-seizure medication.
MILTON, Mass., Sept. 22, 2026 — The Massachusetts Appeals Court has affirmed an $11.9 million verdict, $8 million before interest, secured by Keches Law Group on behalf of a young client who was catastrophically injured after being overprescribed an anti-seizure medication.
The client, a 13-year-old epilepsy patient, developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and suffered partial vision loss. Attorneys Karen Zahka, from Trial Lawyers for Justice and Austin Dana, tried the case and won the award at the trial level.
On appeal, the defense argued that the trial court erred in giving a missing-witness instruction regarding the attending physician, who was the final decisionmaker on the dosage at issue. Attorney Chris Lynett from Keches Law Group handled the appeal and argued about the case in February. The Appeals Court held that the instruction was appropriate, and that the firm’s closing argument, which addressed the absent physician and his role in the prescribing decision, was well within the bounds of the law.
“This result belongs to our client, and to a team that built the case the right way from the very first day,” said Austin Dana of Keches Law Group. “A clean trial record is what makes an appeal like this clear. We are proud to have stood with this family from trial through the final decision.”
The affirmation brings a close to the litigation and secures the full recovery for the client.
About Keches Law Group
Keches Law Group is one of New England’s leading personal injury firms, representing injured workers and families across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and the wider region since 1968. Known as New England’s Injury Attorneys, the firm is an official partner of the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins. Learn more at kecheslaw.com.
Media Contact
Victoria Tuttle
vtuttle@kecheslaw.com
