Update on Zoloft lawsuit

 Posted on February 18, 2013 in Birth Defects

The firm is currently undergoing an investigation of Zoloft birth defect lawsuits for the families who had a child born with congenital abnormality that is allegedly associated with their mother's use of Zoloft during her pregnancy.

Federal Zoloft lawsuits are continuing to move forward in the multidistrict litigation that is underway in the U.S. District Court, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, according to Bernstein Liebhard LLP. Dated Jan. 17, the Pretrial Order states that the Court has established a protocol to select Zoloft suits for the early Bellwether trials. The Order also directs the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee to select 12 Zoloft birth defect claims from the total to include in the Early Discovery Group, no later than Feb. 15. The attorneys for Pfizer, Inc. as well, have been instructed to select a total of 13 cases for the Group no later than Feb. 25.

The firm representing the plaintiffs, which is a nationwide law firm that represents victims of defective drugs and other medical devices, said, “We are pleased to see this litigation moving forward. Bellwether trials will be important in gauging how juries might rule in similar Zoloft birth cases. The firm is also accepting any other consultations to victims with birth defects that are allegedly associated with Zoloft.

Birth Defects from Zoloft

Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is currently used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and anxiety disorders. In December 2012, there were over 250 Zoloft birth defect cases that were filed in the Pennsylvania litigation. All of these lawsuits claim that the use of Zoloft during a pregnancy can increase the risk of delivering a child that has severe birth defects, including pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN), spina bifida and other neural tube defects, abdominal defects, heart defects and club foot.

Court documents state that the first trial in the litigation is scheduled to begin no later than Sept. 14, 2014. The next conference to determine the status of the Zoloft defect litigation is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2013.

If you or someone in your family has suffered from a birth defect or another injury due to defective medicine or medical devices, contact Newland & Newland attorneys today. With locations in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Crystal Lake, Chicago, Waukegan and Itasca, IL, these experienced lawyers can help you win your case against defective medical devices today.