subject: Birth Defects Lawsuit- The Growing Antidepressant Pregnancy Intake Phenomenon [print this page] A great majority of parents are now learning about the congenital defects allegedly linked to Zoloft use during pregnancy. Given the widespread use of the drug and the assumed consensus of safety, Zoloft enjoys status as one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression, especially for pregnant women. From the first onset of depression and the subsequent first dosage of Sertraline to a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit, the road traveled is often a difficult one. How did this irresponsibility occur, and what is it that affected families can still do?
Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drug and is designed to increase mood levels for a variety of conditions by keeping a balanced level of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. It is effective. However, pregnancy has proven to be a weak point of this antidepressant (and others in its class). Recently completed clinical studies in Europe and the U.S. have shown alarming results.
According to these findings, Zoloft and pregnancy is a proven dangerous recipe. As a result, many a Zoloft lawsuit is being filed on behalf of affected infants and parents. The subject of these lawsuits are Zoloft-induced severe birth defects such as club foot, heart defects, lung conditions, brain and spinal defects, skull deformities and abdominal defects. Some of these malformations may require extensive surgery and treatment for the infants, with life-altering implications in later adult life if they even reach adult life. Again, some of these conditions can be fatal to the newborn, and many pregnancies never make it to term, with many documented cases of miscarriages.
Scientists warn that the overall implications of Sertraline exposure to the fetus during time in the womb are not entirely known yet, as not enough time has passed for some long-term effects to be registered yet. However, for those affected, Zoloft lawsuit lawyers are a means of legal help available to locate sources of recoverable damages for medical costs, lost time, lost earnings and the devastating burden of seeing a child suffer from a serious birth defect.
Awareness is what makes the biggest difference for everybody involved. Awareness of the actual risks posed by the antidepressant in case of pregnancy and awareness of the legal options in case the damage is already done.
The breadth of the Zoloft birth defects lawsuit phenomenon has grown considerably. It is estimated that since Sertraline appeared on the retail market, more than 100 million people have taken the drug. Experts express great concern that millions of children may have suffered birth defects since the great majority of mothers on SSRI's were simply not aware of what Zoloft can cause during fetal development.
Any woman, who gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation and can prove their use of Zoloft during their pregnancy, may be entitled for financial compensation. An expert lawyer can evaluate the claim and instruct on whether to file a Zoloft pregnancy lawsuit or not. Every unique case is different, every family is affected differently, and every life changed by Sertraline takes a different course.
These particularities call for different approaches and entitle victims of SSRI intake to different monetary compensation. A qualified lawyer's ability to help lies in their expertise to investigate the right to compensation. The potential outcome of a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit is basically dependent on the severity of the congenital anomaly and its repercussions on the life of the child in discussion.
However, for each particular case there is a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is defined as a deadline by which a lawsuit must be filed or permanent indemnification of the manufacturer occurs. The good news is that a great majority of lawyer's offices offer free case reviews for any Zoloft and pregnancy lawsuit, so that the decision to go to court or not can be an informed one, and essentially costless.
In the light of everything described above, two main conclusions can be drawn. On one hand, pregnant women have the right to know everything about the risks they expose their unborn children to if they take Zoloft. On the other hand, families already affected may be helped in their struggle with disability and the limitations they may face by earning compensation through filing a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit.
