SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - An Orange County jury has begun deliberations in a lawsuit that claims Botox treatments for cerebral palsy killed a 7-year-old Texas girl.
The family of Kristen Spears accuses Irvine-based Allergan of concealing the dangers of Botox and seeks $60 million.
The Amarillo, Texas, girl died in November 2007 of respiratory failure and pneumonia. Her mother sued Allergan, alleging a Botox overdose weakened muscles that controlled her breathing.
While the drug is known for cosmetic uses, doctors have prescribed it at much higher doses to ease muscle spasms in cerebral palsy patients - although such uses aren't FDA-approved.
In closing arguments, an Allergan attorney said the girl's death was unrelated to the drug.
The jury began deliberations Thursday.
---
Information from: The Orange County Register, http://www.ocregister.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
