Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuit
Millions of Americans used Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Zoloft for depression during the past twenty years. Unfortunately, evidence shows these drugs increase the risk of birth defects in children exposed to these drugs during pregnancy.
Our firm has successfully represented dozens of children who suffered birth defects due to SSRI exposure. We are currently accepting claims for children exposed to Zoloft in utero.
Why Are Lawsuits for Zoloft Birth Defects Valid?
Drug companies have a duty to disclose known risks as well as risks they should know about. Risks a drug company should know about include risks that could be revealed by conducting adequate testing and safety surveillance. For example, in an SSRI birth defect lawsuit prosecuted by one of our attorneys, a federal court permitted a claim for punitive damages against a drug company to proceed, holding:
Viewing the record in the light most favorable to the [Plaintiffs], the Court finds that the [Plaintiffs] have shown triable issues regarding their entitlement to punitive damages… Drawing all reasonable inferences in the [Plaintiffs]‘s favor, a jury could find that [the drug company] acted with reckless disregard for the alleged risks… by refusing to perform studies which could have revealed potential teratogenic effects.
Although scientific studies show Zoloft increases the risks of birth defects, the manufacturer of Zoloft (Pfizer) has failed to warn patients of this danger. The 2011 Zoloft label does not include information about an increased risk of birth defects.
Zoloft Birth Defects
Some of the defects we are investigating include:
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is a serious defect caused by a disorder of the cells responsible for the formation of the neural tube (neural crest cells). Types of Spina Bifida include Meningocele, Myelomeningocele, and Lipomeningocele. Although surgery is usually performed to treat spina bifida, most children with this condition suffer a lifetime of special needs.
There is good scientific evidence showing that serotonin and SSRIs adversely impact the complex processes by which neural crest cells form the neural tube. If you child has Spina Bifida and was exposed to an SSRI such as Zoloft, he or she may be able to recover compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome or HLHS is a rare congenital (meaning present at birth) defect in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. When this occurs the left side of the heart can’t pump blood effectively so the right side of the heart is forced to pump blood to all the major organs and the rest of the body. This condition is treated with surgery or a complete heart transplant.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is one of the possible birth defects present in children who’s mothers took SSRIs like Zoloft while pregnant. It is a very serious condition and requires constant care under a cardiologist. Some of the symptoms of Hypoplastic Left Heart include grayish-blue skin color, difficulty breathing, cold hands and feet, unusual drowsiness and inactivity.
If your child has been diagnosed Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and you took an SSRI like Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Atrial Septal Defect and Ventricular Septal Defect (Holes in the Heart)
Arterial Septal Defects and Ventricular Septal Defects (Hole in the Heart) are defects in which there is a hole between two chambers of the heart. Surgery is sometimes necessary to repair the defect and prevent future complications.
If your child has been diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect (Hole in the Heart) and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Pulmonary Atresia
Pulmonary Atresia is a birth defect in which the pulmonary valve of the heart does not form properly. When this occurs a solid sheet of tissue forms where the valve should be and blood cannot flow from the right side of the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen. There are several different treatments for this condition such as heart catheterization, open-heart surgery, heart transplant, and in some cases, a lifetime of medication.
Pulmonary Atresia is one of many possible birth defects present in children who’s mothers took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant. It is a very serious condition that requires immediate and on-going care under a cardiologist. Some of the symptoms include grayish blue skin color, shortness of breath, fast breathing, poor eating habits, and fatigue.
If your child has been diagnosed Pulmonary Atresia and you took an SSRI like Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit.
Tricuspid Atresia
Tricuspid Atresia is a birth defect in which the tricuspid heart valve is missing or abnormally developed. The result of this birth defect is that blood can’t flow through the heart and into the lungs to pick up oxygen. The treatment for this condition is surgery, and in some cases, several surgeries to treat the defect.
Tricuspid Atresia is one of many possible birth defects present in children who’s mothers took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant. This birth defect is very serious and requires immediate attention by a cardiologist. Symptoms of Tricuspid Atresia are blue tinge to the skin and lips, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and slow growth. Other, more serious symptoms such as swelling in the legs and feet, swelling of the abdomen, fluid retention, and rapid or irregular heartbeat, could indicate your child is going into heart failure.
If your child has been diagnosed Tricuspid Atresia and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Transposition of the Great Vessels
Transposition of the Great Vessels is a birth defect in which the two main arteries of the heart (the pulmonary and aorta) are switched. When this occurs there is a shortage of oxygen in the blood that flows through the body. Treatment for this birth defect is corrective surgery and is usually performed within the first few weeks of life.
Symptoms of Transposition of the Great Vessels blue coloring of the skin, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, and poor weight gain. These symptoms usually present within the first week of life.
If your child has been diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Vessels and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is a heart defect usually characterized by a ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart), a right ventricular outflow tract defect such as pulmonary stenosis, and an overriding aorta. The result of this condition is usually cyanosis within the first year of life. Open heart surgery is required. Long-term prognosis is usually determined by the nature and degree of post-operative outflow tract obstruction.
If your child has been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Pulmonary Stenosis
Pulmonary Stenosis is a heart defect in which the pulmonary valve of the heart is malformed. The result of this condition is that the malformed valve slows the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs. This heart defect ranges in severity but in moderate to severe cases requires corrective heart surgery.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Stenosis include heart murmurs, shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, and fatigue.
If your child has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Stenosis and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit. Please contact us so we can help secure the compensation your child deserves.
Ebstein Malformation (Ebstein’s Anomaly)
Ebstein Malformation (Ebstein’s Anomaly) is a rare congenital defect in which the wall that separates the upper heart does not close completely. This prevents the heart from working effectively. Less severe instances of this heart defect only require careful monitoring by a cardiologist but moderate to severe cases may require heart surgery.
Ebstein Malformation (Ebstein Anomaly) is one of many possible birth defects present in children who’s Mothers took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant.
If you child has been diagnosed with Ebstein Malformation (Ebstein Anomaly) and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while pregnant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit.
Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the Aorta is form of heart defect in which a narrowing of the aorta occurs. This results in the heart needing to pump harder to force blood through the narrow part of the aorta. If Coarctation of the Aorta is not treated then it may lead to heart failure and death.
If your child has been diagnosed with Coarctation of the Aorta and you took an SSRI such as Zoloft while prenant then your child may be entitled to compensation through a Zoloft Lawsuit.
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