An Arkansas Zofran attorney can help women who took the drug during pregnancy and gave birth to children with birth defects. Studies have allegedly linked the use of the anti-nausea drug Zofran by women during pregnancy to birth defects, including Zofran heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, and other conditions. Affected families may be elgible to seek compensation for damages with the help of an Arkansas Zofran lawsuit attorney.
Contact Attorney Group for Arkansas for more information if you or a loved one took Zofran during pregnancy and delivered a baby with birth defects. We can help you determine whether you may be eligible to file an Arkansas Zofran birth defects lawsuit, and we can put you in touch with an affiliated attorney who can help you to seek compensation for your child’s condition.
Zofran Overview
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zofran for use in 1991 and its generic versions in 2006. According to the drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, Zofran was initially approved for use in patients undergoing chemotherapy and surgical procedures to help reduce nausea and vomiting. While Zofran was not FDA-approved to treat morning sickness in pregnant women, many physicians across the U.S. prescribed the medication for this purpose.
Zofran Complications
According to clinical studies, taking Zofran during pregnancy could increase the risk of cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects by as much as 50 percent, leading to a 30 percent increased risk of birth defects as a whole. Heart defects such as heart murmurs as well as ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects have been reported in infants whose mothers took Zofran while pregnant, and studies show that infants could be 2.4 times more likely to suffer from cleft lip or cleft palate if they were exposed to Zofran while in utero. Both conditions are characterized by the abnormal formation of the lip and mouth and cause difficulty feeding or swallowing, as well as the need for reconstructive surgical procedures.
Lawsuits Could Be Coming
Women who took Zofran during pregnancy and delivered a child with birth defects may consider seeking legal counsel to learn more about filing a Zofran birth defect lawsuit. In 2012, GlaxoSmithKline reached a $3 billion settlement with the U.S. Justice Department to settle accusations that the company illegally paid doctors to prescribe its medication to pregnant women. Although each case is different and past results are not indicative of future outcomes, contact a personal injury attorney if you believe you have a case.
How a Zofran Lawsuit Can Help
Women who took Zofran during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, and delivered a child with birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects, may be able to pursue claims for compensation for medical expenses they incurred on behalf of their children, as well as other damages sustained by the child. Compensation can be based on a number of factors, including:
- The permanency of the child’s injury
- Past and future medical expenses
- Scarring and disfigurement resulting from the injury or medical treatment
- Past and future pain and suffering resulting from the injury
The families of children who have died as a result of their birth defects may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Arkansas. When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
