Kentucky Mom Sues Pfizer Over Child’s Zoloft Birth Defects

The Zoloft lawsuit claims that the plaintiff received her prescription for Zoloft during her pregnancy with her son. On February 26, 2007, he was born with severe congenital birth defects. He suffered from patent ductus arteriosus as well as other medical issues. Because of these severe side effects the boy had to undergo heart surgery as well as other serious medical treatments that were life-threatening in nature.

The mother alleges in the Zoloft lawsuit that Pfizer was aware of, or at least should have been aware of, the risk of Zoloft birth defects as early as 1996 – well before she received her prescription for the SSRI. That’s because studies had revealed the risk that Zoloft and other SSRI antidepressants caused severe side effects when taken during pregnancy. The studies had revealed that there were heart malformation and other abnormalities that could be caused by these drugs. The side effects were also linked to extensive hospital stays, lower birth rates, lower gestational age, as well as APGAR scores that were lower in comparison to other control groups that involved mothers who did not take SSRI antidepressants during their pregnancies.  

The birth defects lawsuit also claims Pfizer provided false information by exaggerating the negative side effects of Zoloft if the user discontinued its use during pregnancy. According to Pfizer, the risks associated with stopping Zoloft were greater than the risks the drug could cause to the fetus, which the lawsuit claims is untrue.

The mother alleges in the lawsuit that her child’s birth defects were the direct result of the way Pfizer fraudulently misrepresented Zoloft and the company’s failure to properly warn the plaintiff of the risks of Zoloft birth defects.

Despite a growing number of Zoloft side effect victims and an increase in birth defect lawsuits being filed as a result, there still has not been a recall for Zoloft. Zoloft is currently classified with the FDA as a Category C medication when it comes to its pregnancy risk. However, it is the hope of many side effect victims that the FDA will reclassify this as a Category D to provide additional warning to those who may potentially use the drug while pregnant.

If you have a child with a birth defect due to taking Zoloft during your pregnancy it is important to contact a qualified Zoloft birth defect attorney today to learn more about your legal rights.