Product liability lawsuits commonly involve products such as vehicles, cribs and other baby products, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, medical devices, medical equipment, tainted foods, household products, toys, appliances, and even fireworks.
How do products become dangerous? Some defective products are produced due to a manufacturing mistake, while others have design flaws that make them inherently prone to causing injury. In other cases, products may not have been advertised correctly or the company that made or sold the product did not properly warn users of foreseeable dangers or how to safely use their product.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective or otherwise unsafe product, we urge you to call Rasansky | McKenzie Law and discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys (for free) at (214) 651-6100.
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The use of Zoloft® while pregnant has been shown to cause serious birth defects in newborn children.
If your baby was born with birth defects due to the use of Zoloft while pregnant, we may be able to help recover substantial compensation for your child. Contact the Dallas Zoloft birth defect lawyers at Rasansky | McKenzie Law today for a free consultation by calling (214) 651-6100.
Depression affects millions of Americans, some of whom end up needing to take medication for extended amounts of time. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of relapsing, so doctors sometimes prescribe drugs such as Zoloft®; an antidepressant medication which raises and normalizes the levels of serotonin.
While Zoloft may successfully treat depression in many people, it is not safe to take when pregnant for reasons we’ll take a look shortly.
The multinational drug company Pfizer is the maker of Zoloft®. This is a company which in the past has misrepresented information about their medications, choosing even to hide worrying study results just before launching a new drug in the interests of profits. Pfizer is repeatedly hit with drug injury lawsuits brought by affected consumers due to its history of deception and poor ethics.
Zoloft and persistent pulmonary hypertension.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is one of the more serious side-effects related to the use of Zoloft during pregnancy. This is a condition where blood pressure remains constantly high shortly after pregnancy. This leads to the circulation of poorly oxygenated blood to the baby’s brain and organs and away from the lungs. This can potentially cause strokes in the mother and the baby, as well as poor clotting which may lead to thromboembolisms.
Here are some signs that your baby may have developed PPHN shortly after birth:
- Rapid breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Your baby’s skin may have a bluish tint even when receiving oxygen therapy after labor
- Grunting and flaring nostrils which may signal some kind of respiratory distress
- Abnormal heart murmur
If PPHN is left untreated, your child may face complications such as seizures, organ failure, and brain hemorrhage. Babies born with persistent pulmonary hypertension may be given emergency treatment such as oxygen therapy. In addition, doctors may decide to supply them with nitric oxygen (which relaxes blood vessels to ease breathing). Lastly, they may be hooked up to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, which is a device used to remove carbon dioxide from your child’s body and then supplying it with oxygen.
Cranial and abdominal birth defects.
Another worrying side-effect of Zoloft is the development of cranial and/or abdominal birth defects. While it’s not always clear exactly how SSRIs interrupt the normal growth of the baby in the womb, the results are often tragic and may not be reversible even with surgery. Babies whose mothers took Zoloft may be born with their organs outside of the abdominal wall, requiring surgery to repair. This condition is known as omphalocele, and may require a lifetime of care.
Another complication tied to Zoloft is craniosynostosis, which is a congenital birth defect which affects the baby’s skull, making it close earlier than required and resulting in a head that’s shaped in an abnormal manner.
Zoloft has also been linked to babies born with holes in their hearts, abnormal bone growth, club foot, spina bifida, and many other birth defects. The argument is that Pfizer acted in a negligent manner by not placing adequate “black box warnings” on their medication labels in order to let their customers know about the potential for Zoloft to cause such serious birth defects.
Raising a child with a serious medical condition is no easy feat, and often requires a lifetime of medical care. If Pfizer’s negligence resulted in your child’s injuries, why should your family be forced to pay for this treatment?
We can help you recover the compensation your family is owed.
Was your child born with a birth defect that you believe is related to your use of Zoloft? Call our Dallas birth injury lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re not asking for you to pay us a penny out of pocket. If we feel that you have a valid case, we’ll handle your claim at no cost to you, and we’ll only take a fee if we’re successful in actually recovering you money.
By filing a Zoloft birth defect lawsuit in Texas, you’ll be able to recover money damages to help you cater for your child’s medical care and special needs for the foreseeable future. Don’t wait another day; call us today at (214) 651-6100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is product liability?
When a person is harmed because of an unsafe or defective item, they may suffer serious injuries and other long-term consequences. These types of injury claims are referred to as “product liability” claims. These claims are usually filed against a manufacturer and/or retailer whose negligence contributed to the injury.
What’s the deal with this massive airbag recall? Am I entitled to a free repair?
Takata, the company who produced the defective airbags specified in this massive recall, announced in May of 2015 that they are doubling the number of recalled vehicles in America from 18 million to nearly 34 million. This is by far the largest automobile recall in history, and one of the largest consumer product recalls ever issued.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these defective airbags can explode upon inflation, sending shrapnel into the face and body of the driver and front seat passenger. At least 17 deaths and well over 100 injuries have been tied to these defective airbags so far.
Car companies affected by this recall include, but are not limited to: Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Saab, Subaru, and Toyota.
This recall is so expansive that every car owner is being asked to contact their local dealership in order to determine if their vehicle has been recalled. Alternatively, you could check the NHTSA’s recall website at https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. Be aware that the most recent additions to this recall may not show up immediately through this web app, and the NHTSA recommends that you check back periodically.
If your vehicle is listed in this recall, you’re asked to contact the manufacturer’s customer service department or your local franchised dealership to inquire about scheduling a no-cost repair. If you’ve already been in an accident and were injured by airbag shrapnel, you may very well have a valid product liability claim with which our attorneys may be able to help. Call us for a free consultation at (214) 651-6100 for more information.
Could defective tires be to blame for my car accident?
All of the major tire companies, including Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Cooper, have all announced defective tire recalls in recent years. And each year in Texas, hundreds of car accidents are caused by tire blowouts, separated treads, belt separations, sidewall defects, and split rims. While some of these accidents may be cause simply by the age of the tire or other considerations, other car accidents are caused by tire defects that should have been prevented by the manufacturer. If your Dallas car accident was caused by a defective tire, speak to our Dallas product liability attorneys today.
Could my car fire have been started because of a product defect?
Did you know that 20 percent of all reported fires are car fires? While there are many causes of car fires (such as poor maintenance or an intentional act) many car fires are caused by a manufacturer defect or a defective auto part.
Defective fuel systems and faulty wiring are two common auto manufacturer mistakes that can lead to serious car fires, car explosions, burn injuries, and even wrongful deaths.
If you were injured in a car fire that was caused by a defect in your vehicle, you may have a valid product liability claim. To talk with a Texas automobile product liability lawyer about your case today, call (214) 651-6100.
Why are drop-side cribs dangerous?
In 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) passed a law prohibiting the sale and manufacture of drop-side cribs.
Drop-side cribs are cribs where one or both sides of the crib can be moved up and down for better accessibility. While many parents found the drop sides convenient, drop-side cribs were responsible for at least 32 infant deaths between 2000 and 2010. According to the CPSC, an additional 3,520 incidents and injuries were reported from November 1, 2007, to April 11, 2010, involving drop-side cribs. Injuries included suffocation, strangulation, entanglement, broken bones, and skull fractures. Most of these injuries and deaths occurred when a drop rail partially detached and a gap formed between the drop rail and the mattress. The child was either fell through the gap or was caught and suffocated or strangled.
Under the new guidelines, crib manufactures are required to use stronger materials and hardware. Crib slats must be well attached and drop sides are banned. While you can still find drop-side cribs at yard sales and on Craigslist.org, our Dallas product liability attorneys suggest that you purchase a crib that meets the current safety guidelines.
The Dallas attorneys at Rasansky | McKenzie Law work to hold crib manufacturers responsible for injuries caused by defective or poorly made cribs. To discuss a crib injury claim, contact Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
How can I be sure that I'm using safe baby gear?
In October 2012, nine out 24 consumer recalls were for children’s products. Every month, at least one highchair, stroller, or baby seat seems to be recalled. You are right to be concerned.
Here are a few tips to help you choose safe gear for your child.
Strollers – Strollers are one of the most frequently recalled children’s products. Many stroller recalls are due to a large gap between the stroller grab bar or tray and the seat bottom. If an infant is not properly harnessed, the child can slip through the gap into a strangulation hazard. Other strollers have been recalled because exposed hinges can amputate small fingers. Most companies offer free repair kits to fix these issues.
Cribs – since 2007, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled 11 million cribs. Last year, the CPSC issued new rules for manufacturers of cribs. Cribs must now be made of sturdier materials and must pass tougher product safety tests before they can be sold. Check your crib to make sure that it is properly assembled and that there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress. If your crib has a drop-side, stop using it and see if a retrofitting kid is available from the manufacturer. Never use a crib that is more than ten years old.
Play yards – More than 2,100 accidents involving play yards have been reported to the CPSC. These incidents resulted in 170 injuries and 60 fatalities. In June, the CPSC approved new safety standards for all play yards. These include stricter testing including stability testing, entrapment testing, and floor strength testing as well as minimum side height requirements and latch-and-lock mechanisms. If you use a pack and play, play yard, or play pen, make sure that the mattress pad is well-attached and that you are not using any extra padding. Discontinue use if you notice any problems with the hinges.
Baby seats – Millions of Bumbo seats were recalled after more than 75 babies suffered head fractures when they arched their backs or rocked and tipped the seats over. If you have a Bumbo seat, make sure it includes a restraint belt. Never use it on a raised surface.
Check manufacturer web sites – Manufacturer websites are the best place to find information about recalls and safety alerts. You can also fill out online product registrations to have recall notices mailed or emailed to you.
If your child is injured by a defective children’s product, our Dallas product liability lawyers can help you get accountability and compensation through a Texas defective product lawsuit. To discuss your claim, contact Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
Speak With a Dallas Birth Defect Attorney For Free
The attorneys at Rasansky | McKenzie Law are happy to speak to you about your potential case free of charge. If we can help with your claim, we’ll do so for no out-of-pocket cost to you. Call us 24/7 at (214) 651-6100.
