Birth Defect Injury Lawsuits. Limb reduction birth defects are among the many disorders that can be associated with the use of certain medications. For example, recent research has linked limb reduction birth defects to the fertility drug, Clomid, as well as Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, either right before or during pregnancy. By filing a limb reduction birth defect lawsuit, you may be able to obtain compensation to cover the cost of your child’s medical bills and therapy, as well as pain and suffering for your family.
A child diagnosed with a limb reduction birth defect traumatizes the entire family and not much can ease this difficult condition. But if your baby’s limb reduction condition was a result of a medication such as Clomid or an SSRI antidepressant like Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, or Lexapro, the defective drug lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP can help you ensure the pharmaceutical firm responsible is held accountable. The Limb Reduction Birth Defect lawyers at our firm offer free lawsuit consultations to the victims of Clomid and SSRI antidepressants. To learn how they can help your family, we urge you to contact us today by completing our online form or calling us at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Limb Reduction Birth Defects
Limb reduction birth defects impact the developing baby’s upper and lower limbs-the baby’s arms and legs-and involve a limb or limbs that either never develop fully or normally or are missing. Limb reduction birth defects occur when the baby is developing in the womb. About 4 out of every 10,000 births will involve an arm reduction and 2 of every 10,000 babies will be born with a leg reduction.
In some cases, babies are born with defects in both their arms and legs. Limb reduction birth defects include:
- A limb that is shorter or larger than normal
- A missing limb
- Toes or fingers that never separated-so-called webbed hands or feet
- Extra fingers or toes
- Development of a constrictive tissue band that could limit blood circulation
Children with limb reduction defects may face challenges with normal motor skill development and may always require help with daily activities, including caring for themselves. Children may suffer from movement limitations, which can adversely impact their ability to play sports or be involved in other activities, and may suffer emotional and social issues over their physical appearance. Children are usually never brought back to full limb restoration and orthotics (splints, braces), prosthetics (artificial limbs), surgical procedures, and physical or occupational rehabilitation therapy are often called for.
Some limb reductions might be linked to other birth defects including heart defects, omphalocele (the infant’s intestine or abdominal organs stick out of the belly button), gastroschisis (the infant’s intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord), incomplete or malformed respiratory system, or septal defects (hole in the heart). Although the exact cause of limb reduction defects is not known, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research points to a mother’s exposure to some chemicals, viruses, medications, and tobacco smoking being linked to these birth defects.
The CDC’s presentation of its National Birth Defects Prevention Study revealed a 140 % increased risk for limb reduction defects in babies whose mothers took Clomid. Also, a 2010 study out of the Harvard School of Public Health found ovulation-inducing drugs, such as Clomid, were linked to increased risks for congenital anomalies. Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and other SSRI antidepressants have also been associated with increased risks for birth defects, including reduced limb birth defects, when taken during pregnancy. Limb defects are listed as a possible SSRI birth defect on the drugs’ labels.
Limb Reduction Birth Defect Victims – Legal Help
If your baby was born with a limb reduction birth defect and you believe Clomid or an SSRI antidepressant could be to blame, you have valuable legal rights. To learn how our Limb Reduction Birth Defect lawyers can help you and your family, please fill out our online form, or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today.
