Southern Calif. jury decides Boxox-maker Allergan not responsible for 7-year-old’s death

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Calif. jury: Botox maker not responsible for death

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A Southern California jury has determined that Botox-maker Allergan was not responsible for the death of a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who died after receiving Botox injections.

Kristen Spears, of Amarillo, Texas, died in November 2007 of respiratory failure and pneumonia. Her mother, Dee, sued Allergan Inc., for $60 million, alleging an overdose weakened muscles that controlled her daughter’s breathing.

The Orange County jury decided by a 10-2 vote Tuesday that Kristen’s fatal pneumonia and respiratory failure were not caused by Botox.

Juror David Reyes said he concluded that Botox couldn’t be singled out as a substantial reason for the girl’s death.

Allergan issued a statement saying that the jury’s conclusion supports the evidence that Botox played no role in Kristen’s death.

Information from: The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California jury has determined that Botox-maker Allergan was not responsible for the death of a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who died after receiving Botox injections.

Kristen Spears, of Amarillo, Texas, died in November 2007 of respiratory failure and pneumonia. Her mother, Dee, sued Allergan Inc., for $60 million, alleging an overdose weakened muscles that controlled her daughter’s breathing.

The Orange County jury decided by a 10-2 vote Tuesday that Kristen’s fatal pneumonia and respiratory failure were not caused by Botox.

Judge David Reyes also said he concluded that Botox couldn’t be singled out as a substantial reason for the girl’s death.

Allergan issued a statement saying that the jury’s conclusion supports the evidence that Botox played no role in Kristen’s death.

Information from: The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. corrects to juror sted judge in 4th graf. Moving on general news and financial services.)