You may be eligible to file a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified doctors that use of the antidepressant Zoloft during pregnancy can increase the risk of serious Zoloft birth defects in newborns. This was based on the results of multiple studies which confirmed that Zoloft birth defects among newborns can include serious and potentially deadly heart defects. If you have taken Zoloft and your baby suffered serious birth defects, contact us now for more information about Zoloft lawsuits.
What is Zoloft?
Zoloft is in a class of medications called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Zoloft works by increasing the amount of serotonin which is a natural substance found in the brain that helps to maintain mental balance.
Zoloft is prescribed to treat:
- Depressive disorder – a syndrome that reflects a sad and/or irritable mood exceeding normal sadness or grief.
- Panic disorder – sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning.
- Social anxiety disorder – extreme fear of interacting or performing in front of others.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder – repeated obsessions and/or compulsions that interfere with the person’s ability to function.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – usually develops as a result of a terribly frightening, life-threatening experience.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that occur in the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle that may interfere with a woman’s ability to function.
Zoloft Birth Defects
There are many Zoloft side effects including drowsiness, dry mouth, decreased interest in sex, muscle cramps, tremors, diarrhea and trouble sleeping. However, one of the most serious Zoloft side effects are the many Zoloft birth defects associated with a mother’s use during pregnancy.
Some specific Zoloft birth defects are septal heart defects, omphalocele, anal atresia and limb reduction defects.
• Septal heart defects are holes in the interior wall of the heart called the septum.
• An omphalocele is a Zoloft birth defect in which the infant’s intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button.
• Anal atresia (or imperforate anus) is when the child’s anus is missing or blocked.
• Limb reduction defects are defects in which part of or the entire arm or leg of a fetus fails to form completely during pregnancy. The limb is either small or missing.
Zoloft birth defects are either structural such as with problems with a body part missing or being misshapen or functional. Functional or developmental Zoloft birth defects examples are spina bifida, cleft palate, heart defects and club feet.
A 2006 study published by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women who used Zoloft after the 20th week of pregnancy are six times more likely to give birth to an infant with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). PPHN is a serious and potentially fatal circulatory situation.
In another study published in 2007 by the same source, New England Journal of Medicine, found that children born of women who used Zoloft during pregnancy were two times as likely to suffer heart related Zoloft birth defects. The most common heart defects in the study were ventricular outflow defects and septal defects.
Zoloft birth defects are caused by teratogens which is anything that can disturb the development of a fetus. Teratogens may cause a Zoloft birth defect in the infant or cause the mother to miscarry. The classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs such as Zoloft.
Zoloft Birth Defects Lawsuit
Because of these very serious and deadly birth defects, many Zoloft birth defects lawsuits are being filed against Pfizer Inc., the manufacturer of Zoloft. Drug manufacturers such as Pfizer, Inc. have a responsibility to warn doctors and their patients of any known risks in taking their medications. This is especially true when the medication may be marketed towards those individuals that may become pregnant and may continue with the course of treatment during their pregnancy. It is the responsibility of the drug manufacturer to sound an alert to prevent birth defects such as those Zoloft birth defects that have harmed so many families.
When the drug manufacturers fail to warn consumers, they must be held accountable. Filing a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit sends a message loud and clear that you will not stand by and let a giant pharmaceutical company ignore the safety of our families and put their profit margin over the health of our children.
It is important that you select a law firm that has experience dealing with the large drug companies. The experienced Zoloft birth defects lawsuit attorneys at D. Miller& Associates, PLLC have helped many clients win their claims against those that have wronged them and their families. Let the experts at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC work to get you compensation for medical bills, future healthcare costs and other expenses involved due to Zoloft birth defects.
We have provided a form on this page for you. Send us your contact information using the form or call us now for your free consultation. You and your family have nothing to lose and everything to gain by letting our experienced team stand up for you against those that may have harmed you and your baby.
Cases to be chosen for Zoloft Bellwether trials
The process for selecting the first 25 Zoloft birth defects lawsuits have been outlined in a court order issued last month. The cases will be chosen from the more than 250 lawsuits currently pending in the multidistrict litigation (MDL). The cases are scheduled to go to trial in September 2014.
Zoloft lawyers representing plaintiffs will select 12 of the 25 cases, to be submitted by February 15, 2013, and the lawyers representing Pfizer will select 13 cases, to be submitted by February 22, 2013. After the cases go through discovery, they will go to trial starting in September 2014.
In these early trials, known as Bellwether trials, certain plaintiffs in the MDL are selected to have their cases tried before a jury. Because the plaintiffs’ cases involve common factual and legal issues, the trial can reveal evidence, trends or patterns in the litigation, or act as a guide for later trials involving the same or similar allegations. The outcomes of these trials may help facilitate an eventual Zoloft settlement agreement between the parties.
Zoloft is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Research has shown that, when taken during pregnancy, Zoloft can greatly increase the risk of heart defects as well as persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns, as much as 50% in most cases. Critics claim that Pfizer did not perform adequate studies and did not warn patients and doctors of this potential risk. Because of this, Zoloft was prescribed regularly to pregnant women.
D. Miller & Associates, PLLC is currently representing clients who have been affected by taking Zoloft while pregnant. If your child experienced birth defects, both you and your child could be eligible for compensation. If you have suffered as a result of this drug, contact an attorney immediately for your free case evaluation.
