Defective Drugs and Birth Defects
Pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers are obligated to ensure that the medications they bring to the market are safe and effective when used as directed. Despite strict testing and clinical trial guidelines, defective and dangerous drugs make their way into the public’s hands. Defective drugs can cause a number of adverse side effects, including birth defects.
When defective drugs lead to birth defects, defective drug lawyer Roger “Rocky” Walton helps victims from the Arlington, TX, area hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for injury damages, which may include physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Dangerous Medications During Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, she needs to be especially careful about the medications she takes, because even if a prescription drug has been tested to be safe for adults, it doesn’t mean that it is safe for a developing fetus. Of course, a pregnant woman has the right to expect that if a drug has made its way to the market (without any warnings about use by pregnant women), or been prescribed by her doctor, that it is safe to use during pregnancy. There are several types of medication that can be dangerous for a developing fetus, including:
- Accutane - This acne medication significantly increases the risk of birth defects. Women who are planning to become pregnant should stop using this medication three years prior to starting a family.
- Antibiotics - Many antibiotics are safe to use during pregnancy, but there are several others that can cause birth defects, including Nitrofurantoin, Sulfonamides, and Tetracyclines.
- Antidepressants - Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that are used to treat depression can cause serious birth defects, as can some benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety.
- Topamax - Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug that is used to treat seizures, migraines, and eating disorders. This medication drastically increases the risk of certain birth defects.
These medications are known to increase the risk of birth defects, but new drugs are regularly introduced, and often without appropriate testing regarding use by pregnant women. If a baby is born with a birth defect and the mother suspects that it is linked to defective drugs, she should consult with a defective drug lawyer, such as Rocky Walton.
Birth Defects Caused by Defective Medication
There are a wide range of birth defects that have been linked to defective or dangerous drugs. Potential birth defects include:
- Cleft palate or cleft lip
- Spina bifida
- Heart defects
- Abnormal organs
- Developmental delays
- Neural tube defects
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Lung abnormalities or respiratory problems
- Skull malformations
- Limb abnormalities
- Muscle control problems
Holding Liable Parties Accountable
Birth defects can cause lifelong consequences for a child. Many who suffer from birth defects require long-term medical treatment, including ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. These types of conditions can put an emotional and financial strain on the parents, as well as affect the child’s ability to live independently and earn wages in the future.
If birth defects are the result of a defective drug, the drug manufacturer should be held liable for all resulting damages. Similarly, if a doctor prescribes a medication that has been proven dangerous for pregnant women, and fails to properly monitor the situation, they may also be held accountable for resulting damages. Rocky Walton works with individuals in the Arlington area to hold liable parties accountable.
Contact Us
If your child has suffered from a birth defect, and you believe that prescription medication is to blame, defective drug lawyer Roger “Rocky” Walton can help you consider your legal options regarding compensation for damages. To schedule a case review, send us a message online, or call our Arlington law firm at (817) 429-4299.