Parents File Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit Against Pfizer
By Mike Holter
A Louisiana couple has filed a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit against Pfizer seeking to hold the pharmaceutical company liable for their son’s multiple birth defects. The couple says Pfizer failed to warn the public that taking Zoloft during pregnancy could cause fetal harm, and are alleging the drug was defectively designed and manufactured. Their case joins hundreds of other Zoloft birth defect lawsuits transferred to the Zoloft MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Parents Cathy and Mark Leblanc allege in the Zoloft lawsuit that Cathy was prescribed Zoloft for anxiety and depression for the first 20 weeks of her pregnancy. Shortly after Cathy gave birth to her son on October 25, 2007, they were informed he had multiple cranial birth defects, including craniosynostosis, a serious birth defect that causes one or more sutures on a baby’s head to close earlier than normal. Early closure of these sutures causes the baby to have an abnormally shaped head, which may include a flattened forehead, misshaped eyes, or a prominent ridge running down the forehead. The Leblanc’s son was also born with craniofacial defects and malformations. Craniofacial defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common of all birth defects, and are also common birth defects associated with SSRI antidepressant use during pregnancy. The Leblancs allege in the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit that their son’s defects were caused by his mother’s use of Zoloft during pregnancy.
The crux of the Leblanc’s Zoloft lawsuit is that Pfizer knew or should have known that Zoloft posed an increased risk of birth defects if taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. They further allege that Pfizer failed to test Zoloft for safety in pregnant women and did not discourage the use of Zoloft by pregnant women. In addition to cranial birth defects, Zoloft has also been linked to numerous other birth defects, including heart defects, omphalocele, limb malformations, PPHN, spina bifida and more.
The Leblancs, with the help of their Zoloft birth defect lawyer, are suing Pfizer for counts of liability, inadequate warning, and breach of implied and express warranties. They are seeking compensatory and general damages, as well as special damages to help cover their son’s mounting medical bills. The Leblanc’s son has already had to undergo one craniofacial reconstructive surgery, and will have to endure regular hospitalizations and surgeries, their Zoloft attorney says.
The Leblancs aren’t the only parents fighting for their child’s rights after being born with Zoloft birth defects. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer in recent months by parents seeking to hold the company liable for their children’s injuries. In April 2012, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was created to consolidate the mounting litigation into a single federal court. The new Zoloft lawsuit MDL will help streamline the pretrial procedures and hopefully lead to a faster resolution for parents and their children.
If your child was born with a birth defect you believe was caused by Zoloft or another SSRI antidepressant such as Paxil, Lexapro or Prozac, you may have case to seek compensation from Pfizer for your child’s injuries. Contact a Zoloft birth defect attorney right away to discuss your legal options before it’s too late.
Visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to submit your information for a free legal review of your case. Zoloft attorneys are standing by, and will fight to get the compensation your child deserves.
Updated August 28th, 2012
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