Taking the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) while pregnant may increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with a birth defect. If your baby was injured and you need information about filing a lawsuit or joining a Prozac class action, contact our law firm today.
What is Prozac?
Prozac (fluoxetine) is a Pregnancy Category C antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is possible that Prozac increases the risk of having baby with a birth defect if it is used during pregnancy, but evidence remains inconclusive.
What is the problem?
Our lawyers are concerned about several studies linking Prozac and birth defects — especially heart defects. For example, a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2011 linked Prozac to a doubled increased risk of ventricular septal defects (“hole-in-the-heart” defects) when it is used in the first trimester.
Many other studies of SSRIs have also found higher rates of heart defects. In addition, the FDA has warned about the risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) from third-trimester use of Prozac.
Prozac Class Action Lawsuit Information
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but we are not filing a Prozac class action. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits on behalf of children who were born with serious birth defects as a result of exposure to Prozac during pregnancy.
Birth defects linked to antidepressants include, but are not limited to:
- Heart defects
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Gastroschisis
- Omphalocele
- Hypoplastic lungs
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
- Cleft palate
- Clubfoot
- Intellectual disabilities
- And more
About Class Actions
Class action lawsuits are beneficial in certain circumstances — for example, when thousands of people buy a defective product based on false advertisements. It wouldn’t make financial sense for everyone to file a lawsuit alone, so everyone joins together and files a class action to seek compensation on behalf of the entire group.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Prozac Class Action
Birth defects are some of the most severe, life-threatening side effects that a medication can cause. Many children must undergo multiple surgeries very early in life. Others have permanent intellectual and physical disabilities. Our lawyers believe there is no excuse for drug-makers who fail to warn pregnant women about this risk.
Instead of a class action, our trial attorneys are filing individual lawsuits on behalf of children who were seriously injured by Prozac. We are concerned that members of a class action could be forced to accept a blanket “low-ball settlement” and higher attorneys’ fees. By filing individual lawsuits, we help each of our clients seek compensation and justice for their child’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, disability, and more.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
