-- Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs, is commenting on recent updates in the Zoloft litigation brought over the drug’s alleged association with birth defects. According to court documents, a pediatric cardiologist provided expert testimony in a case alleging that use of Zoloft during pregnancy caused congenital heart defects in the plaintiff’s child. The expert, Dr. Ra-id Abdulla of Rush University, testified that the antidepressant was the only likely cause of the defects and that the mother had no other risk factors. The case is Mia Robinson et al. v. Wolters Kluwer Health Inc. et al., case number 110700778, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Parker Waichman has received a number of leads about the association between SSRIs, such as Zoloft, and birth defects and has assigned a team of attorneys to work on this matter. The firm believes that the makers of these drugs did not thoroughly review the impact of these medications on the developing fetus and seeks to obtain recourse for its potential clients if they did not.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff began taking Zoloft at roughly the same time her daughter was conceived in November 2005. During her first obstetrical appointment in January 2006, she reported that she was taking the antidepressant but was not advised to discontinue treatment. Court documents indicate that the child, who was born in August 2006, was about three months old when her condition was identified. According to court records, Dr. Abdulla testified that he believed that Zoloft may lead to fetal heart development by impacting serotonin levels.
According to Parker Waichman LLP, a number of lawsuits over birth defects allegedly related to Zoloft have been filed. Some cases are pending as part of a federal multidistrict litigation consolidated in Philadelphia. “The outcome of this trial may have important implications for the remaining Zoloft litigation,” said Gary Falkowitz, Managing Attorney at Parker Waichman LLP. “This expert testimony lends support to allegations that Zoloft causes heart-related birth defects.”
Parker Waichman LLP is offering free lawsuit consultations to victims of SSRI Antidepressant side effects. Please contact the office by visiting the firm’s SSRI Antidepressants side effects page at yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Release ID: 84844