Birth Defects Lawsuit Alleges that Zoloft Caused Club Feet

Mother Danielle Eugene has sued Pfizer Inc., alleging that the company failed to warn her that taking Zoloft during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. She brings a Zoloft lawsuit against them on behalf of herself and her minor child, identified only as B.J. in court documents.

Zoloft was first marketed by Pfizer in 1991. Today, it is the third best-selling antidepressant in the world. The drug is designed to treat depression by making certain areas of the brain more active – areas that tend to shut down in people suffering from depression.

According to the birth defects lawsuit, Eugene took Zoloft during her pregnancy with B.J. In 2005, B.J. was born with bilateral club feet, meaning both of the child’s feet were seriously deformed. This condition required surgical correction.

The Zoloft lawsuit alleges that Pfizer knew, or reasonably should have known, about the risks related to their drug. The text of the complaint cites preclinical studies and subsequent peer-reviewed studies that all indicated that Zoloft and related drugs could cause serious birth defects when taken during pregnancy. According to the Zoloft lawsuit, a study dating back to 1996 indicated that it has been known for some time that SSRI-based antidepressants could cause birth defects.

The birth defects lawsuit further alleges that not only was Pfizer aware of the risks but the company failed to warn patients like Eugene and health care professionals about them. The Zoloft lawsuit cites direct-to-consumer advertisements, characterizing the marketing as “aggressive.” Eugene alleges that these marketing campaigns downplayed the risks associated with Zoloft and other SSRIs while promoting their use. 

The Zoloft birth defects lawsuit is formally titled Danielle Eugene, Individually and as Natural Parent and Guardian of Plaintiff B.J., a Minor, v. Pfizer Inc., et al., Case No. 2:13-cv-03819-CMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.