Attorney
Recently, a St. Louis jury awarded a girl’s family $15 million after it claimed that she suffered from birth defects because her mother was prescribed the anti-seizure drug Depakote during her pregnancy.
According to the Associated Press, the verdict was announced last month. The lawsuit claimed that the 12-year-old girl now suffers from numerous injuries, including spina bifida.
Her family was among two dozen involved in litigation against Depakote manufacturer Abbott in St. Louis when the verdict was reached
The Dangers of Depakote
In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety announcement aimed at pregnant women taking valproate sodium drugs including Depakote, saying that the products could cause birth defects.
Some of the alleged side effects of these drugs include:
- spina bifida
- atrial septal defect
- cleft palate
- hypospadias
- craniosynostosis
- decreased IQ scores and cognitive problems
Sadly, this warning came too late for many expecting mothers, as Depakote alone was generating billions of dollars in sales each year prior to the announcement.
It should be noted that valproate sodium products also go by the name Depakote ER, Depakote CP, Depacon, Depakene and Stavzor.
Reach Out to an Attorney If a Defective Drug Has Injured You
If you have been injured by a defective medication, you should speak to an attorney. Our drug injury lawyers are not scared to take on large pharmaceutical companies, who often shift the focus off their products to avoid costly lawsuits.
If you suspect that a drug hurt you or a family member, contact our firm. We represent pharmaceutical victims in Maryland and throughout the United States.
Continue reading our blog for more information about defective drugs.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Source: https://www.drugwatch.com/news/2017/06/13/jurors-award-15-million-depakote-lawsuit/