Parents Claim Clubfoot Caused By Drug In Zofran Lawsuit

January 13, 2016 – – Zofranlegal.com has reported that a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey under case number 2:15-cv-04536-JLL-JAD, alleges that a young boy’s birth defect was caused by the drug Zofran.

The child, in this case, was born on September 24th, 2011. Prior to his birth, doctors had warned his parents that there was a possibility that he suffered from a birth defect known as clubfoot. That diagnosis was confirmed when he was born.

When he was nine days old, doctors began the process of manipulating the tissues and tendons of the foot in an attempt to correct the defect. His feet and legs were placed in a plaster cast, which was replaced on a weekly basis for the first few months of his life. When he was two months old he underwent a surgical procedure called a tenotomy. Since this time he has been required to wear additional plaster casts and special shoes, and may have to undergo another surgical procedure. His parents spend at least one hour a day performing physiotherapy on their son.

His parents firmly believe that the anti-emetic drug Zofran caused their child’s birth defect. In their complaint, they note that the mother underwent antepartum testing, bloodwork, began taking prenatal vitamins prior to getting pregnant, does not smoke or drink alcohol, and that there is no family history of clubfoot. However, during the third week of her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum and hospitalized for her severe nausea and vomiting. Her doctors prescribed Zofran and she was given the drug both orally and intravenously

Zofran, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been available to the medical community since 1991. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, although the approval did not indicate that the drug was safe for pregnant women and their unborn children. If doctors followed the directions on the label, the drug would only be prescribed to patients who are nauseous and vomiting after anesthesia, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, GSK advertised the drug as a safe treatment for exepectant mothers, and many doctors weren’t aware that they were prescribing Zofran for off-label use.

Over the last two years, parents around the country have filed lawsuits against GSK, each one alleging that a child’s birth defect was caused by Zofran. The birth defects noted are not just conditions that are related to the feet, other defects that are listed include atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, respiratory distress syndrome, cleft lip, cleft palate, and kidney defects. In most cases, the child requires surgical intervention to fix for their defect.

By pursuing legal action, these families hope to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. To learn more about the ongoing litigation, contact Michael Monheit at Monheit Law by calling 877-620-8411.

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Contact ZofranLegal.com:

Michael Monheit
1-877-620-8411
michael@monheit.com
1368 Barrowdale Road, Rydal, PA 19046

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