Cueto

 

A group of parents who claim their children suffered severe birth defects because of Zoloft has filed a lawsuit against the drug's manufacturer.

Mary and David Saville, Terry and Todd Cochran, Anita Kinslow, Wendell Houchens, Erica Woodley and Antwynette Golliday joined a lawsuit filed Dec. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Pfizer Inc. Pfizer is the manufacturer of Zoloft, the antidepressant medication at the center of the suit.

According to the nine-count complaint, the female plaintiffs were all prescribed Zoloft during their pregnancies, despite the alleged risks posed to their unborn children. The mothers claim their babies were all born with major medical defects, including heart damage.

The parents cite multiple published medical studies that show antidepressants like Zoloft double the risk of heart defects in unborn children. Based on those studies, the parents say Pfizer had to have known the potential dangers posed by the drug Zoloft. They also allege Zoloft was defectively designed and inadequately tested. The parents say the antidepressant medication lacked the proper warnings alerting patients to possible birth defects associated with its use during pregnancy.

They accuse the drug manufacturer of negligence, fraud, misrepresentation and a breach of implied warranties. They also allege the company violated Consumer Protection Laws. The parents are asking for actual and compensatory damages along with a disgorgement of profits, interest and court costs.

Attorneys Christopher Cueto and Michael Gras of Bellville are representing the parents.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-658