If a person thinks they look too old, they can get BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is an FDA-approved prescription medicine that is injected into the muscles to temporarily improve the look of frown lines and crow's feet.

BOTOX, made by Allergan, Inc., is not 100% safe. The manufacturer warns that it can cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening, including:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of strength
• Overall muscle weakness
• Trouble breathing
• Double vision
• Loss of voice
• Loss of bladder control

Allergan says that there are confirmed serious cases where the toxin spread when patients used BOTOX Cosmetic to treat frown lines, crow's feet, or both at the same time.

Manufacturer of BOTOX Ordered to Pay $18M

One case of serious side effects involved a doctor, who prevailed in her battle with Allergan, Inc. S. Helton was a successful OBGYN at a women's specialty hospital in Oklahoma before she contracted botulism after her BOTOX Cosmetic injections in June 2006.

The doctor from blue collar beginnings delivered hundreds of babies in her home town before co-founding Lakeside Hospital. But her career came crashing down after she was diagnosed by the National Institute of Health with botulism as a result of her BOTOX injections.

She experienced profound weakness and was initially bedridden for several months and could barely walk without being overcome with muscle fatigue. Her Botox injections lead to toxic peripheral neuropathy, which caused electrocution-like pain and numbness in her extremities.

The condition became permanent and she had to give up her career.

She filed a lawsuit against Allergan and won. The jury returned a verdict of $15 million, which Allergan appealed and lost. After losing the appeal, Allergan owed Dr. Helton over $18 million due to accrued interest.

Dr. Helton is not the first or the last BOTOX victim. There are many other victims, some of whom have settled and others whose cases are pending in various courts nationwide.

To file a BOTOX lawsuit, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer for guidance.