Mother Says Zoloft Side Effects Caused Severe Birth Defects in Son
California mother Kelly Hardy says that she took an SSRI antidepressant during her pregnancy, and as a result had a child with numerous congenital birth defects, according to a new Zoloft lawsuit filed July 22.
Hardy says that her child was born July 28, 1999 with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage. The former means that the heart has not formed properly and can affect breathing and development as a result of hypoxia. Intraventricular hemorrhage results in blood and cerebrospinal fluid flooding the skull because of ruptures in weakened blood vessels.
It is thought that this and other congenital birth defects linked to SSRI antidepressant usage during pregnancy is caused by persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN), which affects development. According to Hardy’s lawsuit, Pfizer should have known of these risks of Zoloft side effects prior to her child’s birth because of studies on similar drugs showing a higher risk for premature birth beginning in 1996. Later research buttressed these claims that Zoloft birth defects are a side effect of taking the SSRI during pregnancy.
In spite of numerous reports to the FDA, Pfizer has “failed and continues to fail to warn and disclose to consumers, including Kelly Hardy, that Zoloft significantly increases the risk of heart malformations and other birth defects,” Hardy’s Zoloft lawsuit lawyer states in the complaint. As a result, Hardy is seeking damages on counts of defective design, failure to warn, negligence, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations, concealment, and breach of warranties.
The Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit is Kelly Hardy et al v. Pfizer Inc., et al., Case No. 13-cv-04234. It was transferred directly into the Zoloft birth defect MDL known as In Re: Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2342.
Help is Available from a Zoloft Birth Defect Lawyer
Help for families who think their child’s problems are a result of certain medications is available at the Zoloft & SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation . There, you can fill out the short form for a free legal review from a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit lawyer to learn whether or not you are eligible to pursue a claim against Pfizer or the maker of your antidepressant medication. Any legal success could result in damages or a settlement that could pay for any lost wages for parents and ongoing medical care for children suffering from heart and other defects.
Updated July 31st, 2013
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