We all want the best for our children, but what if you find out that they are suffering from a condition that was brought about by a drug that you took while you were pregnant? I’ll bet that it is the hardest feeling in the world, and you have all reasons to feel guilty about yourself. But you don’t have to! You are not the one to blame. It is the medicine that you took in full faith that it will help you out with your health problems.
If you had been prescribed with the psychotic drug Depakote when you were pregnant, then you definitely have cause to blame other parties for your child’s condition!
Side Effects of Depakote
Depakote was intended to be used for the treatment of people with bipolar disorder who suffered from constant seizures. Specifically, it is an anticonvulsant drug. First marketed in 1983, Depakote was used widely in the treatment of bipolar disorder and epilepsy. To some extent, it has also been used to treat migraines as well.
However, Depakote’s successes are also offset by its side effects especially in pregnant women. In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration released warnings to the public regarding the dangers of using Depakote while pregnant. This was when its research and studies revealed that a staggering 20 percent of pregnant women who were prescribed Depakote had given birth to children with defects. These defects include:
- Anencephaly, or underdevelopment of the brain and skull. This usually results to stillborn babies or babies that die shortly after being born.
- Spina bifida, or the failure of the spinal column to seal itself shortly before childbirth. This usually results to leg paralysis.
- Heart defects
- Cleft lip and palate
In a nutshell, the side effects of Depakote on the newborn can really affect their health and the quality of their lives as they grow up. That definitely is not something we would want for our children, and one more reason for you to sue Abbott Pharmaceuticals Inc. for damages and the corresponding financial compensation for your suffering.
Why Sue?
While you had willingly taken Depakote because it was prescribed to you by your physician, you had done so in full faith. After all, the drug’s labeling initially did not indicate or warn against any possible risks especially for pregnant women. This constitutes gross misconduct and negligent misrepresentation in the part of Abbott. Although the drug has been given a black box label in 2006, it has been 22 years between the drug’s release and the publishing of the black label. Countless women have already seen the often fatal side effects of the drug on their children.
If you have suffered side effects, then it’s time for a visit to a known Depakote attorney. This is the person that can truly help you when you finally claim for damages from Abbott for all the suffering that using Depakote has brought upon you. Make sure to bare it all before your attorney so he can build a solid case that you can bring to Court and expect to win!
About the Author:
Aside from being a private practice attorney and a writer for AttorneyOne.com, Nancy Sturgis spends most of her time researching in the Internet. A true bibliophile, she likes to collect paperbacks and reads it on her free time. She particularly loves the John Grisham courtroom drama novels, with the bestselling A Time To Kill as a personal favorite.
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