A Zofran cleft lip attorney can help those who have been adversely affected by the medication. The anti-nausea medication Zofran is approved for use in chemotherapy and surgery patients, however, lawsuits allege drug maker GlaxoSmithKline promoted the drug for the treatment of morning sickness, an “off label” use not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and recover compensation with the help of a Zofran lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group if you or a loved one took Zofran during pregnancy and delivered a child with birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Zofran Cleft Lip Overview
In January 2012, a study analyzing Zofran and birth defects was published in Birth Defects Research. The study has been interpreted to show that pregnant women taking Zofran during the first trimester were twice as likely to deliver a child with cleft palate or cleft lip. The study was based on evaluation of data from approximately 9,000 pregnancies logged in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
Cleft lip is a condition characterized by a split in a child’s upper lip. It is a congenital birth defect that typically occurs during the seventh week of pregnancy when the tissue that forms the upper lip fails to grow together properly. Some babies who develop a cleft lip may also develop cleft palate, a similar condition in which a split forms in the roof of the mouth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4,440 infants are born with cleft lip each year in the U.S., and the condition occurs in about one of every 940 births. Babies born with cleft lip are may be at risk of malnutrition and from difficulty eating and/or swallowing.
Complications that can arise from cleft lip include:
- Fewer teeth
- Need for special orthodontics
- Language and speech delays
- Hearing problems
- Frequent ear infections
- Malnutrition
- Low self-esteem in older children
- Physical differences
- Dental problems
Surgery is often required before the child is 18 months old to reduce the risk of complications that may affect hearing, language and speech. Zofran cleft lip lawsuits allege drug maker GlaxoSmithKline failed to disclose the risks associated with taking Zofran during pregnancy, and that the company wrongfully promoted the drug off-label to treat morning sickness. Claims against GlaxoSmithKline seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Have Questions About Zofran Cleft Lip Or Other Birth Defects?
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 may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to 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 or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
