Our legal team is constantly working to update the status of the SSRI claim so that aggrieved parties have the most relevant and up-to-date information. Several of the manufacturers of popular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been involved in numerous lawsuits alleging suicide, birth defects, and illegal business practices. Specific antidepressants include Zoloft, Prozac®, Paxil®, Lexapro® and Celexa®. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after taking an SSRI antidepressant, please contact an experienced lawyer today to review your legal options. ® Baum Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman and Pendley Baudin & Coffin have filed a consumer fraud class action lawsuit, alleging that drugmaker Pfizer, Inc. intentionally and falsely misled consumers about the effectiveness of the company`s antidepressant, Zoloft (generic name sertraline). The class action lawsuit, Case No. 13-CV-00414-PSG, filed on January 29, 2013, alleges that Pfizer orchestrated a massive marketing campaign to convince Zoloft to be a highly effective (e.g., “Zoloft has helped millions of people with depression”) and safe treatment for depression, given the vast majority of clinical trial data to the contrary. Other Zoloft patients have filed a class-action lawsuit in the Northern District of California, accusing Pfizer of false advertising. Instead of suing for compensation for injuries due to Zoloft`s reported or unreported side effects, this class action lawsuit alleges that Pfizer made false statements about Zoloft`s efficacy. The plaintiffs cite studies that found Zoloft did not work as well as Pfizer claimed.
There are currently no class action lawsuits for Zoloft; The only existing class action lawsuit was dismissed in 2014. There are notable differences between a class action and a multi-district action; Before a class action can be filed, plaintiffs must be admitted as class members. If there are no existing cases, plaintiffs often opt for individual lawsuits. Numerous lawsuits have been filed across the country against Zoloft maker Pfizer and other defendants, alleging that the drugmaker failed to warn consumers that the drug could cause birth defects. Since all of these cases make similar claims and involve almost identical legal issues, they have been consolidated through a process called Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). In 2009, an MDL was established for the cases against Celexa® and Forest Laboratories for illegal marketing of the drug to children. These cases were settled in 2010 for $300 million. A Zoloft class action lawsuit in California accused the company of promoting ineffective drugs. Some experts have claimed that the effectiveness of Zoloft is equivalent to a placebo or no treatment at all. Zoloft`s lawsuit claimed that Pfizer knew the drug`s benefits were overstated, but was dismissed in September 2014.
Although more than 700 Zoloft lawsuits and class actions have been filed, Pfizer has managed to dismiss or withdraw numerous lawsuits after the courts ruled against the plaintiffs. Other lawsuits filed in state courts in West Virginia, Missouri, New York and other states have also been dismissed or resulted in a ruling in favor of Pfizer. While some of Zoloft`s lawsuits may remain in federal, state, or local courts, most lawsuits have resulted in a withdrawal or dismissal. People who feel they have been hurt using Zoloft should seek legal advice. Created by FindLaw`s team of writers and legal writers| Last updated: December 03, 2018 The class action lawsuit consolidates all plaintiffs into a single lawsuit against a co-defendant. When the case is closed, each claimant receives an equal percentage of the total compensation or settlement. By participating in a class action, you will not be able to file an individual lawsuit at a later date. Many people believe that class action lawsuits are filed against the manufacturer of the antidepressant Zoloft for causing heart defects in babies, the vast majority of cases are filed as individual claims. The same goes for lawsuits on behalf of babies born with congenital craniosynostosis and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is also believed to be caused by the use of Zoloft. A true class action lawsuit involves relatively few lawsuits as representatives of the “class” of perhaps thousands or millions of people who share their wounds. When the case is settled, a sum of money is divided among the members of the group, regardless of their individual damages. We believe that filing individual claims is the best course of action for babies who have developed serious heart defects after their pregnant mothers use Zoloft.
Individual claims can be a much better way to get maximum compensation for serious injuries. Therefore, we do not pursue class action lawsuits for our clients. Instead, we treat these cases individually. If you took Zoloft antidepressant during pregnancy and your baby was born with heart defects, you should immediately seek the advice of a certified personal injury lawyer to determine if you and your child are eligible for compensation. If you have considered joining a Zoloft class action, you should contact us to discuss filing an individual lawsuit instead of participating in a Zoloft class action. Zoloft (generic name sertraline) is one of the SSRI antidepressants believed to cause birth defects and has been the subject of an FDA warning. SSRIs like Zoloft are a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These heart defects caused by Zoloft may include atrial abnormalities, ventricular abnormalities, tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of large arteries (TGA or TOGA), open ductus arteriosus (PDA), total abnormal pulmonary venous reflux (TAPVR), right ventricle with double output (DORV) and aortic infarction (CoA).
There is also growing evidence that Zoloft and other SSRIs cause congenital craniosynostosis and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when taken to their mothers. The class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, on behalf of Laura A. Plumlee of Watsonville, California, and on behalf of domestic and California consumers who have purchased and/or paid for Zoloft for the treatment of depression from its inception in 1991 to the present day. Unlike a class action, where a few plaintiffs represent a large group, the plaintiffs grouped by MDL represent only themselves. In MDL, the judge hears many lawsuits at once, so the same legal issues don`t have to be decided over and over again. In Zoloft`s birth defect lawsuit, all cases have been brought before a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who will set testimony and issue binding orders for all similar cases. Pfizer has been successful in the vast majority of litigation against them; Some prosecutions have even been excluded by law.
MDL groups similar cases together for pre-trial processing, but individual cases remain separate. As a result, claimants receive individual severance payments based on the actual harm suffered. With MDL, plaintiffs typically get a larger settlement than through a class action. This means that the lawyer will cover all legal fees related to your case, including search, filing, and other costs. Just like legal fees, amounts are deducted from your premium if you win. If your child has suffered birth injuries as a result of using Zoloft, you should speak to a qualified drug and medical device advocate in your area today. Since there are already several groups of claimants in the court system, you should immediately consider all the legal options available to you to best protect your rights. Other Zoloft users have sued Zoloft for distressing physical and psychological effects.
As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Zoloft has often been found to cause a number of side effects, some of which are serious, can be serious, or lead to permanent injury or death. Advocates associated with patient cases expect many more cases to emerge as the drug`s effects become more known. Seeking compensation for birth defects or other serious side effects is often the only way for victims to get the compensation they need for medical treatment and physical therapy. With the help of a competent drug advocate, a victim can get the representation they need in court. If you think your complications and health problems may warrant a continuation after taking Zoloft, these resources will help you get started: In early clinical trials, there were several common side effects caused by Zoloft, including dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, decreased sexual desire/ability, loss of appetite, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, trouble sleeping and vomiting. Here is a complete list of health complications and side effects that can occur after taking Zoloft: As of 2012, there are still significant Zoloft-related lawsuits pending in the court system.