FUMING OVER BABY’S BIRTH DEFECTS MOTHER SUES PFIZER

It may have been seven years since her daughter was born with a host of birth defects. But the complications have left her daughter still in pain, suffering perhaps even for a lifetime.

Recently, a mother has filed a birth defect lawsuit against Pfizer. She alleges her daughter was born with a malformation because she took prescribed Zoloft during her pregnancy. Her Springfield girl is now seven years old.

An Unusual Case

In a lawsuit filed on behalf of her daughter, a mother stipulates her child was born in 2005 with an abnormal anal opening.  To conceal her daughter’s identity, the child is only referred to by her initials in the complaint. Furthermore, even the court’s Register-Guard is not given the mother’s name to the public to protect the girl and her privacy.

Seeking Justice

The plaintiff specifies that she was prescribed Zoloft and started taking them in 2004. However, she continued the medication up to the time of her pregnancy being told that it was not harmful to do so.
But things proceeded with a dramatic turn. Not only was her daughter born more than a month early, a series of complications endangered the newly-born. According to the lawsuit, the baby had abnormally narrow internal organs from the large intestine and anal canal down to the rectum.

Because of said complication, the girl had to undergo multiple surgeries which included a colostomy. Worse, this may entail lifelong hospital and medical care for her.

Although the lawsuit was filed in federal court, it is expected to be consolidated under a Multidistrict litigation (MDL). Other lawsuits over birth defects against Pfizer have already been bonded together as one.
 
Conspiracy of Silence

The lawsuit further alleges that Pfizer was negligent in its marketing. The manufacturer presented Zoloft as a safe antidepressant for pregnant women. This is in spite of the fact that it knew way back in 1991 about the unreasonable danger said product posed to “pregnant users” and their “unborn children.”

Further, the lawsuit alleges that no adequate warning was put in place by Pfizer to the consumers, physicians or to the FDA about these birth defects. And like her and her Springfield baby, millions are left in the dark.
For its part, Pfizer cites “extensive science” is behind Zoloft. Also, a spokesman of the company expressed sympathy over these families that have to deal with birth defects. However, it is their intention to vigorously defend the company and Zoloft as the product is FDA-approved.

A birth defect lawsuit demands attention over details. Many would-be plaintiffs come rushing in armed only with their desire for justice but without any training on legal matters. Good thing, sites on the internet like rotlaw.com of the Rottenstein Law Group (RLG) have become a handy tool to move lawsuits over birth defects forward.

This lawsuit seeks compensation for economic, noneconomic and punitive damages in an unspecified amount. However, judging by the extent of the damage, this may cost Pfizer a fortune.