Oregon Mother Files Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit

On December 5, 2012, another Zoloft birth defect lawsuit was filed. The plaintiff, an Oregon resident who reportedly took Zoloft during her pregnancy, claims that she gave birth to her daughter who suffered from severe birth defects caused by Zoloft. Pfizer, the manufacturer of the SSRI antidepressant, has been named as the defendant.

The plaintiff goes on to charge the drug manufacturer with failing to warn the medical community as well as the patients about the pregnancy dangers of Zoloft. The Zoloft lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court in the District of Oregon in Eugene. However, there is a possibility that the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit will be transferred to the current Zoloft multidistrict litigation (MDL) that is currently being held in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Details of the Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit

The Oregon mother alleges in the lawsuit that she began taking Zoloft sometime in 2004. She then became pregnant and was specifically told that the medication was safe to take through her pregnancy, so she continued to take it. She then gave birth to her daughter who suffered from several very serious birth defects. These congenital birth defects included the following:

• Atrial septal defect
• Congenital atresia
• Stenosis of the large intestine
• Stenosis of the rectum

Sadly, the little girl has had to undergo several surgeries. These included a double barrel transverse colostomy. It has also been reported that her Zoloft birth defects will also require ongoing treatment including the following:

• Hospital visits
• Physical therapy
• Other medical treatments

It has been stated that this type of specialized treatment is expected to go on for the rest of the little girl’s life.

The plaintiff in the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit has charged Pfizer with multiple counts. These charges include the following:

• Breach of express warranty
• Design defect
• Failure to warn
• Manufacturing defect
• Negligence
• Product liability

The plaintiff is seeking punitive damages from the drug manufacturer and has made the allegation that Pfizer had a “conscious and deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of consumers.”

Studies Show Zoloft Linked to Several Birth Defects

There have been several studies that have linked the use of Zoloft during pregnancy to several different birth defect side effects. Some of these side effects include:

• Anal atresia (partial or total closure of the anus)
• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate
• Congenital heart defects
• Craniosynostosis (malformed skull)
• Limb abnormalities like a club foot among others
• Omphalocele (a condition in which the baby’s intestines protrude through the navel)
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Due to the number of Zoloft birth defect victims there have been a number of Zoloft lawsuits filed. In fact, to date there are around 250 Zoloft lawsuits that have been consolidated into the Zoloft MDL. It has been reported recently that the first Zoloft birth defect lawsuit trials will begin in September of 2014.

If your child has been the victim of a Zoloft birth defect you could be eligible to file a Zoloft lawsuit or class action lawsuit. Visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page right away. Simply and easily provide your information and receive a free legal review with an experienced Zoloft attorney today.