Parents Sue Pfizer Over Daughter’s Zoloft Heart Defects

A Missouri couple is taking legal action against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., alleging that its antidepressant Zoloft cased their child to be born with birth defects. Their daughter was born in 2005 with a number of heart defects, including but not limited to transposition of the great arteries. The parents, Shelly and Richard Scordo, are suing Pfizer for damages.

Initially, Shelly Scordo took Zoloft for depression during her pregnancy after it being recommended to her by her physician. At the time, Scordo had no idea that Zoloft could cause birth defects, according to the Zoloft lawsuit. Now, she is taking action. Scordo and her husband are seeking relief from Pfizer for damages she incurred, damages her child incurred, negligence, and fraud for their manufacturing, distribution and marketing of Zoloft. 

Zoloft Birth Defects

Zoloft was first approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 1991 for the treatment of major depression in adults. As a new drug applicant, Pfizer knew that they would have to disclose any and all information regarding their new drug, including but not limited to animal and human test results, proposed model labeling, and the drug’s chemistry, Scordo says in her lawsuit.

As soon as Zoloft was approved by the FDA, defendant Pfizer rushed doctors by giving them literature and presentations to sell the doctors on their drug, according to the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit. Through their literature and presentations, it is alleged that Pfizer did not disclose the proper safety risks involved with the use of Zoloft by pregnant women. Pfizer continued to market their new drug as the as the best new alternative and promoted Zoloft as a superior treatment drug for depression during pregnancy. 

Scordo claims in the Zoloft lawsuit that she was led to believe the information brought before her by Pfizer.  Now, she and her family are impacted for the rest of their lives due to Pfizer’s alleged negligence. 

The Zoloft birth defect lawsuit further alleges that despite having extensive knowledge of the extreme risks associated with the use of Zoloft during pregnancy — as well as its absolute duty to properly and adequately warn foreseeable users — Pfizer never approached the FDA to modify the label stating the true possible side effects associated with Zoloft, especially when taken during pregnancies. 

The Zoloft birth defect lawsuit is Shelly and Richard Scordo vs. Pfizer Inc., Case No. 4:13-cv-01766-ERW in the United States District Court of Missouri. 

Obtain a Free Zoloft Lawsuit Review

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a birth defect, you have legal options. Please visit the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned birth defect lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process with no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The birth defect lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.