(openPR) - Nadrich & Cohen, LLP reports that Pfizer is seeking to consolidate a number of federal Zoloft birth defects lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation.

Los Angeles, CA, February 1, 2012 – Pfizer has reportedly asked a federal judicial panel to centralize a number of Zoloft birth defects lawsuits filed against the company. If the motion is granted, the cases would be consolidated for pretrial proceedings and heard in a federal district court. Oral arguments are scheduled for May 31.

According to court documents, the motion was filed on January 18. Pfizer is reportedly seeking to have an estimated 59 lawsuits consolidated before a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The company’s headquarters are located in New York City.

The majority of the cases are currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In their motion, Pfizer suggested the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi and the Northern District of Ohio as alternate locations.

The plaintiffs have alleged that Zoloft, an SSRI antidepressant, caused serious birth defects, including newborn persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), various heart defects, lung and abdominal defects and other complications. Zoloft (sertraline) was first approved by the FDA in 1991 to treat numerous conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.

Research studies have suggested that the use of an SSRI antidepressant may elevate the risk of giving birth to a child with serious defects. Despite these reports, the Food and Drug Administration continues to support the use of these drugs to treat women with depression.

Women who gave birth to children with serious defects after taking Zoloft or another SSRI antidepressant are encouraged to complete a MedWatch form by visiting the FDA’s website. Patients are also urged to seek the aid of an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss their legal rights.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is offering confidential, no-cost consultations to individuals across the country who believe their child was harmed by Zoloft. Help is available by calling the firm’s injury hotline at 1-800-718-4658.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is a national law firm with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and other cities throughout California specializing in handling mass tort actions and representing individuals in cases involving pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. The firm is committed to achieving the best outcome possible in every case and has recovered over $200 million in settlements on behalf of its clients.

In addition to handling Zoloft birth defects claims, the firm is also investigating cases involving Accutane, Actos, Avandia, Fosamax, Paxil, Vaginal Mesh, Wright Conserve Hips, Yaz, Yasmin, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Benzene, Reflex Sympathy Dystrophy, Fen Phen and PPH, Depakote and Reglan. For more information, visit www.personalinjurylawcal.com.

Jennifer Poole
National Client Intake Coordinator
Nadrich & Cohen LLP
12100 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90025
800-718-4658
info@personalinjurylawcal.com
www.personalinjurylawcal.com