Jury in Virginia Hearing $20M Suit Against Botox Maker

A Fredericksburg man is suing the maker of the drug Botox for more than $20 million, claiming injections to relieve writer’s cramp in his right hand left him brain-damaged and totally disabled.

A jury began hearing Douglas Ray Jr.’s lawsuit against Allergan Inc. in federal court in Richmond on Tuesday. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.

Ray claims Allergan promoted the use of the wrinkle-smoothing drug for treatments not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including hand tremors and writer’s cramp. The 65-year-old alleges that he had a severe immune reaction to the drug, resulting in a brain injury that has left him fully dependent on others for his care.

Allergan has denied responsibility for Ray’s condition.