Pediatric Celexa, Lexapro Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Celexa and Lexapro were improperly marketed and sold to minors under the age of 18. If you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro for use by minors prior to Dec. 31, 2013, you could be eligible for payment from the class action settlement.

The pediatric antidepressant class action lawsuit, titled In re: Celexa and Lexapro Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, alleged Forest Laboratories Inc. violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act in connection with the marketing and sale of Celexa and Lexapro for use by minors under the age of 18. The plaintiffs also alleged Forest misrepresented the efficacy of Celexa and Lexapro when treating depression in people under 18.

Forest denies the allegations but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of ongoing litigation.

The Celexa/Lexapro class action settlement received final approval on Sept. 8, 2014. According to a post on the settlement website, “Payments will be issued to Settlement Class Members with valid Claims after the Court grants ‘Final Approval’ and after any appeals are resolved. If an appeal is lodged, resolution can take time. Please be patient.”

UPDATE: On June 27, 2016, Top Class Actions viewers who submitted timely and valid claims for the pediatric Celexa, Lexapro settlement began receiving checks worth as much as $2,800.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Celexa/Lexapro class action settlement include anyone who purchased or paid for brand-name Celexa or Lexapro for the use of a minor under the age of 18 between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec. 31, 2013, and if either (i) Celexa or Lexapro was prescribed to the minor in Missouri; or (ii) the prescription was purchased in Missouri; or (iii) you or the minor were residing in Missouri at the time of prescription or purchase.

Entities, including third-party payors, are a part of the class action lawsuit if they purchased, paid for, or made a reimbursement for brand-name Celexa or Lexapro for use by a minor under the age of 18 between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec. 31, 2013, and if either (i) Celexa or Lexapro was prescribed to the minor in Missouri or (ii) the minor was residing in Missouri at the time of the prescription or payment.

Governmental entities are excluded from the Celexa/Lexapro class action settlement.

Potential Award

Varies.

• If you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro between Jan. 1, 1998 and March 31, 2005 for use by a minor under the age of 18, and you know how much you paid, you are eligible to receive up to the full amount of the purchase price.
• If you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro between April 1, 2005 and March 19, 2009 for use by a minor under the age of 18, and you know how much was paid, you are eligible to receive up to 65 percent of the purchase price.
• If you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro between March 20, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2013 for use by a minor under the age of 12, and you know how much was paid, you are eligible to receive up to 65 percent of the purchase price.
• If you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro between March 20, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2013 for use by a minor 12 years or older, and you know how much was paid, you are eligible to receive up to 20 percent of the purchase price.
• If, during any of the above time periods, you purchased or paid for Celexa or Lexapro for use by a minor under the age of 18, but you do not know how much was paid, you are entitled to submit a claim for $50.

The actual amount Class Members will receive from the Celexa/Lexapro class action settlement depends on how many valid claims are submitted.

Proof of Purchase

Class Members may be asked to provide a receipt or record of payment or an authorization to release medical records. If you are unable to provide this information upon request, your claim may be denied.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

1/26/2015

Case Name

In re: Celexa and Lexapro Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2067, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Final Hearing

7/16/2014

Settlement Website

www.Pediatric-Antidepressant-MissouriSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Celexa and Lexapro Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation
P.O. Box 5110
Portland, OR 97208-5110
1-877-772-6154
info@Pediatric-Antidepressant-MissouriSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Christopher L. Coffin
Stan P. Baudin
Nicholas R. Rockforte
PENDLEY BAUDIN & COFFIN LLP

Michael L. Baum
R. Brent Wisner
BAUM HEDLUND ARISTEI & GOLDMAN PC

Defense Counsel

DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON LLP