Illinois Mother Takes On Pfizer for Her Son’s Zoloft Birth Defects

Illinois plaintiffs Dana L. Kelly and her minor son “M.K.K.” are suing the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer for the injuries M.K.K. sustained from his mother taking Zoloft during her pregnancy. Kelly was prescribed Zoloft by her physician for anxiety and depression.

Zoloft (Sertraline) is a powerful antidepressant that is prescribed to treat a variety of anxiety conditions and mood disorders. It belongs to a newly-formed drug family called SSRIs (select serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which are engineered to target the specific malfunction in the brain and correct it. In contrast to most antidepressants which are designed to affect the whole body, SSRIs are designed to only interfere with a specific area of the brain, and are meant to counteract the specific malfunction.

While widely described as successful, there have been many patients who have suffered from unmentioned side effects. Among these are side effects experienced by pregnant users whose babies were born with multiple birth defects, some including cardiovascular which required immediate medical attention after birth.

Kelly was included in this population. Her son was born with multiple congenital defects, and like the other mothers, she claims that Pfizer made no effort to warn her or her physician at any point in time before or after she was prescribed Zoloft. Furthermore, the drug’s warning label made no mention of the possibility of Zoloft birth defects, and Pfizer actively concealed, suppressed, and failed to disclose any dangers, according to the Zoloft lawsuit.

Kelly is suing Pfizer for alleged negligence, false advertisement, concealing information, and misrepresenting a dangerous product.

Overview of Zoloft Side Effects

Zoloft is listed under the FDA’s Category C in terms of pregnancy warnings, which means that it carries the possibility for harming the fetus. For this reason, may doctors believe that the risks of Zoloft outweigh the benefits for pregnant women.

According to recent studies, Zoloft and other SSRIs have been linked to an increased risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in newborns. While there is no established proof that SSRIs actually cause PPHN birth defects, there have been scientific studies that show there is evidence that SSRIs increase the risk of PPHN significantly. 

A study conducted at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark showed that pregnant women who gave birth to babies with birth defects, including heart defects, were more likely to be taking SSRI drugs compared to women who had been taking other medications. The medications were taken when all of the women were within their first trimester of pregnancy. 

Zoloft Litigation Movement

Kelly’s case is similar to hundreds of Zoloft birth defect lawsuits filed across the country. These lawsuits are now being transferred to federal multidistrict litigation to ensure a faster resolution for both parties.

On April 17, 2012, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”) issued a Transfer Order that established MDL No. 2342, In re: Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride) Products Liability Litigation, before Judge Cynthia M. Rufe in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Kelly’s case has been moved to this MDL, and is currently still in the litigation process. Kelly is seeking $75,000 in damages from medical compensation, pain and suffering, and other punitive damages.

This case is Dana L. Kelly and M.K.K. v. Pfizer Inc., Case 2:13-cv-04653-CMR, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

Obtain a Free Zoloft Lawsuit Review

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of an SSRI birth defect, you have legal options. Please visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned SSRI birth defect lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The birth defect lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.