Zoloft Birth Defect Claims Now Number in the Hundreds
By John Curran
Partially due to new scientific research and partially due to increased public awareness, women who have given birth to children suffering from SSRI antidepressant birth defects have turned to the courts for legal remedies to defray some of the pain and suffering, as well as medical costs caused by these side effects. A recent analysis indicated that more than 330 Zoloft birth defect lawsuits are pending against Pfizer Pharmaceutical.
However, the entire class of antidepressants has been linked to conditions similar to Zoloft birth defect risks. That includes Celexa and Lexapro, as well as Prozac and Paxil. It is believed that the drug can cause heart problems, which affects growth. That can lead to SSRI birth defect side effects like limb deformities and even neurological problems like spina bifida that require extensive treatment.
In total, there are likely more than 1,000 cases against the various manufacturers of these drugs beyond those filed by Celexa birth defect attorneys. In other countries, judges have found the evidence compelling enough to grant class certification to plaintiffs bringing class action lawsuits, and some have already received settlements. For U.S. side effect victims, however, most claims are being centralized into multidistrict litigation (MDL). In the case of Zoloft birth defect lawsuit, the MDL is in the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania.
Since the bellwether trials in the Zoloft birth defect lawsuit MDL are not scheduled until October 2014, it is likely that many more cases could join the multidistrict litigation. Consider that 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 births from women who became pregnant while on these drugs will result in heart omphalocele, and millions of women have taken the drug.
Other cases, like those filed by Celexa birth defect attorneys, are also being consolidated. While depression is a real problem, women who want to have a child and are on depression medication need to review the risks with their doctors and perhaps consider other options if an alternative is recommended to them.
Many mothers say they had no idea that they were putting children at risk for heart omphalocele and other birth defects because of these drugs. If you think that your child developed problems and you were taking an antidepressant learn more about legal options at the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. While there, fill out the short form for a free legal consultation to assess your eligibility to file a claim against the maker of your antidepressant.
Updated April 10th, 2013
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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