New Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit Filed in New York

Doctors regularly prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants to women of childbearing age and pregnant women who suffer from depression. For many years, these drugs were believed to be safe for both the woman and unborn children. However, studies have shown that the use of SSRIs during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects.

When women take antidepressant medication during pregnancy, the drugs enter the fetal bloodstream in addition to the mother’s bloodstream. The drug Zoloft, an SSRI antidepressant, has been linked to serious birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Many of these Zoloft birth defects are permanent and require extensive medical treatment. Numerous plaintiffs have sued Pfizer, the maker of Zoloft, for failing to adequately warn doctors and patients about the increased risk of Zoloft birth defects.

New York Woman Sues Pfizer for Child’s Zoloft Birth Defects

Kori Wolcott was prescribed Zoloft to treat her depression during her pregnancy. When she gave birth in March 2003, her son was born with multiple birth defects, including severe aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis refers to a narrowing of the aorta, which obstructs blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. This condition is a permanent condition. When Wolcott’s son was a few months old, he underwent surgery to enlarge the heart valve. However, he will need to be monitored by specialists for the rest of his life. Due to this heart condition, he is at an increased risk for future heart problems as well.

Wolcott filed a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit in a New York state court. She alleges that Pfizer knew or should have known that Zoloft increased the risk of birth defects but failed to warn about these increased risks. In the complaint, Wolcott and her husband are seeking to recover damages for the medical expenses associated with treating their son’s birth defects and related illnesses. They allege that, beginning in the 1990s, studies began to suggest a link between antidepressants and birth defects when pregnant women took antidepressant medication during pregnancy.

What to Do if Your Child Suffers from Zoloft Birth Defects

If you took Zoloft to treat depression while you were pregnant and gave birth to a child with serious birth defects, you may be able to file a Zoloft lawsuit against Pfizer. If your lawsuit is successful, you could receive payment for your child’s past and future medical costs. To learn more about your legal options, visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation and submit your information for a free claim review. When you submit information about your child’s Zoloft birth defects, an attorney will review your case for free to determine whether you qualify to file a Zoloft lawsuit.