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Parents Sue Pfizer Over Daughter’s Multiple Zoloft Heart Defects
By Sarah Pierce
A New York couple has filed a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer Pfizer, claiming their 9-year-old daughter was born with a variety of heart defects they believe were caused by the SSRI antidepressant drug. The girl’s mother took Zoloft while she was pregnant. Parents Jade and Jason Byington allege in the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit, filed July 19, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, that Pfizer had full knowledge of the risk of birth defects when Zoloft is taken during pregnancy, but failed to share this information with the public in order to keep selling the drug. Their daughter Sadie was born in October 2003 with multiple heart defects, including atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and coarctation of the aorta — all potentially life-threatening conditions. Sadie has undergone multiple serious medical procedures to treat her Zoloft heart defects, including open-heart surgery, and continues to need round-the-clock monitoring and care. The Byingtons, with the help of their Zoloft birth defect attorney, are seeking compensation from Pfizer to cover her medical expenses, the ongoing medical care and monitoring she requires, and for her pain and suffering.
Their case joins at least 137 similar Zoloft lawsuits already filed in U.S. federal courts on behalf of children who suffer heart defects and other health problems allegedly caused by their mother’s use of Zoloft during pregnancy.
Pfizer Knew About Zoloft Birth Defect Risk
Numerous heart defects have been linked to Zoloft taken during pregnancy, including the defects Sadie suffers from. In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that certain SSRI antidepressants, like Zoloft, can cause heart problems in newborn babies if their mothers took the medication during the first trimester of pregnancy. Atrial and ventricular septal defects were specifically mentioned in the FDA warning — two of the conditions Sadie was born with. Unfortunately, this warning came too late for Sadie’s parents.
Sadie’s parents allege in the Zoloft heart defect lawsuit that Pfizer continues to market Zoloft as being safe to use during pregnancy, despite this FDA warning and a number of studies showing an increased risk of congenital abnormalities and other adverse side effects associated with the drug.
“To this day, Pfizer has not informed women of childbearing age or even pregnant women that they should not take Zoloft,” the lawsuit claims. “Pfizer still targets these women as their primary market.”
The Byingtons allege Pfizer knew or should have known even before the 2005 FDA warning that Zoloft posed a risk to pregnant women based on animal testing done before the medication was introduced. In addition to failing to warn consumers and the medical community, the lawsuit alleges Pfizer actually encouraged doctors to prescribe Zoloft to women of childbearing age, women who were trying to conceive, and even to pregnant women.
Other side effects linked to Zoloft include Autism Spectrum Disorder, cranial birth defects, spina bifida, clubfoot or other limb abnormalities, abdominal birth defects, Zoloft PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension), and more. These birth defects have also been linked to other SSRI antidepressants, including Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac.
If your child was born with a birth defect you believe was caused by taking an SSRI during pregnancy, the drug’s manufacturer should be held liable for your child’s pain and suffering, and medical expenses caused by their failure to warn the public about these risks. A birth defect lawyer skilled in pharmaceutical lawsuits can help you determine the best course of action for seeking this compensation.
If you would like more information about filing a Zoloft class action lawsuit, Zoloft birth defect lawsuit, or a lawsuit against another SSRI drug manufacturer, go to the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Submit your information, or your loved one’s, to birth defect attorneys waiting to provide a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.
Updated August 9th, 2012
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2 thoughts onParents Sue Pfizer Over Daughter’s Multiple Zoloft Heart Defects
Its bit difficult to say before taking these medicine that what is the effect of these type of medicines.I think they have done a right as these are harmful for health.Celexa Birth Defects Lawsuit Attorney