Zofran Lawsuit for Birth Defects

Talk to a Knowledgeable Zofran Lawyer

If you used the anti-nausea drug Zofran during pregnancy, you may have questions about a Zofran lawsuit. Zofran, which comes in tablet and injectable forms, is a drug that is taken by pregnant women to stop morning sickness, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Even though it has been linked to serious and dangerous birth defects, it continues to be prescribed to millions of women for use during pregnancy.

History of Off-Label Zofran Use for Morning Sickness

In 1991, Zofran was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating nausea in cancer patients going through chemotherapy and radiation. Because it was so effective for those uses, doctors began prescribing it for nausea in pregnant women. This was in spite of the fact that it wasn’t approved by the FDA for that use. But it’s legal for doctors to prescribe drugs for off-label use if they think the benefits to their patients of using the drug outweigh the risks.

However, it’s not okay for drug makers who are in the pursuit of profits to promote their drugs for uses not approved by the FDA. And illegal marketing appears to be the case here. It’s been alleged in numerous birth defects lawsuits that GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker, has actively marketed the drug for morning sickness even though multiple studies have pointed to the increased risk of birth defects.

Our Zofran Lawyer May Be Able to Get You Compensation

Is this another case of drug makers trying to make more money at the expense of children and families? We can help you discover whether your family has been a victim of an unscrupulous drug company. If you used Zofran and your child was born with birth defects, the Zofran legal team of the Terry Bryant law firm in Houston will counsel you about a possible Zofran lawsuit. You could be able to get significant compensation to help pay medical bills and compensate your family for other damages caused by Zofran.

Call our Terry Bryant Accident and Injury law firm today at (832) 271-4562 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to arrange a free consultation with an attorney who is highly experienced at handling drug injury cases.

Birth Defects that May be Caused by Using Zofran during Pregnancy

It has been alleged in numerous lawsuits that taking Zofran can lead to serious birth defects, including:

  • Heart defects such as incomplete development of tissue and heart murmurs
  • Kidney and other organ defects
  • Musculoskeletal abnormalities
  • Skull deformities
  • Deformities of the mouth, including cleft palate and cleft lip
  • Infant Jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a high level of bilirubin in the bloodstream
  • Club foot, which is when the foot is twisted in an abnormal position or shape.

Birth defects often require expensive and ongoing medical care. Children born with them may be dependent on their parents for the rest of their lives. You shouldn’t have to experience financial stress as well as the emotional turmoil of watching your beloved child suffer from birth defects. You have the right to seek justice for your family through a Zofran lawsuit with the assistance of a qualified medical malpractice lawyer. Call us today at (713) 973-8888 to learn how we may be able to help you.

Possible Side Effects in Women Who Used Zofran during Pregnancy

In addition to its effects on newborns, Zofran can also cause negative side effects to users of the drug. Common ones include headaches, constipation, diarrhea, fever, chills, and drowsiness. Other more serious and potentially life-threatening side effects from the drug are heart rhythm problems and a deadly rise in serotonin levels in the body, which can lead to seizures and death if not treated.

You Have the Right to Hold the Drug Maker Accountable for Injuries

When a medication causes you or your child harm, you have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable for injuries. Call the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at (713) 973-8888.

How Does a Zofran Birth Defects Lawsuit Work?

If you believe your child’s birth defects were caused by Zofran use during pregnancy, we will carefully examine the evidence in your case and guide you through the process of filing a Zofran birth defects lawsuit. In a lawsuit you could get compensation from the company for the damages their dangerous drug has cost your family. Sometimes drug companies offer settlements in drug injury cases. In other circumstances, these cases go to trial before a judge or jury.

Typical damages that may be asked for in drug injury cases can include:

  • Compensation for current and future medical bills
  • Pain and suffering that the birth defects and other injuries have caused
  • Compensation for other non-medical assistance you may need to help you care for your child with birth defects
  • Lost income if you can’t work due to taking time off to care for your infant or to recuperate if you were injured by the drug
  • Lost earning capacity if your child’s birth defects won’t allow you to work anymore
  • Punitive damages for extreme negligence by the drug manufacturer.

Our Zofran lawyers can advise you about filing an individual lawsuit or joining an existing class-action suit. A class action suit is when a group of people with similar injuries from the same drug file a lawsuit together. What makes the most sense in your case will depend on the circumstances involved. Our Zofran lawyer can advise you based on the strength of your case and all the details. Contact us today to learn what may be the best option in your case. Reach out to our law firm by calling (713) 973-8888.

Is There a Lawsuit Against Zofran?

There are hundreds of pending birth defects lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Zofran. Among other things, the lawsuits allege that:

  • The company never engaged in clinical research to determine whether the drug was safe for pregnant women or their developing fetuses.
  • The company actively marketed Zofran to doctors as an anti-nausea agent for morning sickness, even though it was never approved by the FDA for such use.
  • And that the company offered kickbacks to doctors in order to get them to prescribe the drug to pregnant women.

Not the First Lawsuits the Company Has Faced Over Zofran

These pending lawsuits are not the first lawsuits the company has faced over Zofran. In 2012, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay a staggering $3 billion in civil settlements for illegally marketing pharmaceutical drugs, including Zofran for use in pregnant women. Over the past approximately 30 years, they’ve paid out $7.56 billion in criminal and civil penalties. However, with an estimated revenue of over $44 billion annually, it seems these penalties and settlements are just a small cost of doing business for this pharmaceutical giant. Sadly, the costs in health problems to victims of this company are much higher.

When profit-driven big pharma companies like this one manufacture and market drugs that cause injuries, they deserve to be held accountable. Our drug injury lawyers have extensive experience getting justice for clients who have been harmed by dangerous medications. Call us at (713) 973-8888 to learn how we can help you potentially get compensation.

Zofran Studies Have Shown that the Drug Can Cause Birth Defects

Initial studies showed that Zofran had no negative effects on a pregnant woman’s health or the health of their unborn child. Other studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects.

In 2011, a study initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that Zofran can double the risk of birth defects.

Independent Danish studies monitoring over 900,000 women revealed that heart defects in infants increased by double if their moms were taking Zofran during pregnancy. An Australian study discovered a link between Zofran and birth defects, including kidney issues.

A 2018 study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts found no link to heart defects, but did find a small increased risk of oral clefts.

Is There a Recall on Zofran?

Even though some studies have shown that birth defects can occur when pregnant women use Zofran and there are lawsuits against the manufacturer, alleging birth defects, consulting with a birth injury lawyer may be necessary. Zofran has not been recalled. The drug’s approved use is for nausea caused by cancer. Doctors can legally prescribe it for nausea due to pregnancy if they think it will help their patients. When doctors prescribe this potentially dangerous drug, though, they must clearly inform patients about the possible risks to both them and their unborn children. Doctors who fail to do so may be held liable along with the drug maker if birth defects or injuries to pregnant women occur.

Get Advice You Can Trust from a Skilled Zofran Lawyer

If you have taken Zofran and your child has experienced birth defects, it is highly advisable to speak with one of our drug injury lawyers. The accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant in Houston has helped people get compensation for the injuries caused by negligent drug companies for more than three decades.

If after reviewing your case we believe you and your child have been a victim of negligence by the drug company in marketing the drug, or if you weren’t informed by your doctor of its risks, we won’t back down in putting our legal resources to work in pursuing compensation for you. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our knowledgeable Zofran lawyers. We can be reached at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]