Zofran Birth Defects Lawsuits Accuse GlaxoSmithKline Of Failing To Warn The Anti-Nausea Drug May Cause Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate And Other Birth Defects In Newborns.
The number of federal Zofran birth defects lawsuits may increase more quickly now that the Zofran complaints can be filed directly into the litigation pending in the Massachusetts district court. The Zofran complaints accuse GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures the antinausea medication, of illegally marketing the drug as a treatment for morning sickness in pregnant women. As a result, the drug causes newborns to have birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, heart murmur, and kidney malfunctions, according to the complaints.
U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who is presiding over the Zofran multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the federal district court in Massachusetts, recently issued an order that streamlines the process of filing Zofran complaints. Rather than plaintiffs filing a Zofran birth defect claim in the states in which they live, they can now file their lawsuits in the Massachusetts district court, where Zofran birth defect complaints have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings. Judge Saylor is also overseeing the process of developing fact sheets that every plaintiff and GlaxoSmithKline are required to complete.The fact sheets are a way for each party to obtain information that can be used during the pretrial process. A draft of the defendant’s fact sheet shows plaintiffs asking GlaxoSmithKline why the pharmaceutical company marketed Zofran off-label to pregnant women when it allegedly causes serious birth defects in newborns. The plaintiffs also questioned whether physicians who will be involved in a case have been paid by GlaxoSmithKline for speaking engagements or consultations. (In Re: Zofran Birth Defect Lawuit – MDL 2657)
“The plaintiffs are may be asking these and other questions due to the past known practices of GlaxoSmithKline,” says Wright & Schulte LLC, which is offering free Zofran lawsuit evaluations to families whose children suffered side effects of Zofran and other harmful drugs. To speak to one of the firm’s Zofran Side-Effects Attorneys, contact the firm today by calling 1-800-399-0795 or visit www.yourlegalhelp.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) leveled civil and criminal charges against GlaxoSmithKline for its actions that included illegally marketing certain of its prescription drugs, including Zofran. Zofran (ondansetron) was approved over 20 years ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, radiation, and post-surgical procedures. Zofran did not receive FDA approval to treat morning sickness in expectant mothers, yet the drug was illegally promoted for that purpose, according to the DOJ. In July 2012, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay a total of $3 billion to resolve claims that included paying kickbacks to doctors to prescribe Zofran and certain other drugs and submitting false claims to federal health care programs.
[justice.gov/opa/pr/glaxosmithkline-plead-guilty-and-pay-3-billion-resolve-fraud-allegations-and-failure-report, U.S. Department of Justice]
Court records show that more than 220 Zoran birth defect lawsuits are pending against GlaxoSmithKline that allege the company promoted the off-label use of Zofran and failed to warn about the birth defects risk associated with the drug. One Zofran complaint filed in March involves a family whose child was born in 2014 and diagnosed with atrial septal defect (hole in the heart) after birth. According to the complaint, the baby’s family has no history of such congenital heart defects. The complaint stated that had the mother known about the birth defects risk, she would not have taken the Zofran medication she was prescribed in her first trimester to alleviate and prevent the symptoms of morning sickness. (Case No. 1:16-cv-10502, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts)
About Wright & Schulte LLC and Filing A Zofran Birth Defects Lawsuits:
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free Zofran lawsuit case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com or by calling 1-800-399-0795.
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