Pennsylvania Child Suffered Zoloft Cranial Defects, Lawsuit Says
By John Curran
Alexandria Donnelly says in a new Zoloft birth defect lawsuit that her daughter was born with numerous congenital defects, including craniosynostosis, as a result of taking the popular antidepressant while pregnant.
The Pennsylvania woman says that she began taking Zoloft in March 2010. She and her Zoloft birth defect lawyer allege that because she and her doctor did not know the risks of Zoloft pregnancy side effects, she continued to take the medication during her pregnancy.
According to the Zoloft lawsuit, Pfizer Inc. still does not include any drug safety warnings regarding the potential for congenital defects in babies born to women taking Zoloft. Donnelly’s Zoloft birth defect lawyer notes several studies demonstrate an increased risk for septal heart defects and other disorders, including persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN).
Because of this condition, children born to mothers who take SSRIs have a 50 percent higher risk of Zoloft side effects including heart defects, according to a 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine. A separate study released that year indicated that the drug doubles the risk for septal heart birth defects. While another drug in the SSRI antidepressant class, Paxil, has had updated drug safety warnings since 2005, Pfizer has failed to do so, according to the lawsuit.
Noting the scientific evidence available prior to Donnelly’s pregnancy and Pfizer’s lack of action, counts against the drug maker include breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligence per se and unjust enrichment.
The Zoloft birth defect lawsuit is Alexandria Donnelly et al, v. Pfizer Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-04657, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Lawsuits are mounting against Pfizer and other drug makers with product offerings in the SSRI antidepressant class. If you or someone you know had a child who developed septal heart birth defect issues or other Zoloft side effects, get educated. Visit the Zoloft & SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to learn more about your legal options. Fill out the short form there for a free legal review by a Zoloft birth defect lawyer. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit that could result in a legal remedy to pay for ongoing medical bills and other needs.
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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