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As the number of patients coming forward with birth injuries linked to taking Zoloft while pregnant increases, Zoloft birth injury attorney around the country are preparing for what may be a monumental legal effort to recover damages for families affected by the drug.

Years ago, researchers linked the popular antidepressant drug Paxil with certain serious birth injuries in infants including heart defects, lung defects, PPHN and musculoskeletal defects such as cleft palate and other injuries.

With studies in the past decade showing an increased risk of certain birth defects for mothers taking Paxil during pregnancy, thousands of families have now contacted a Paxil Lawyer to discuss their legal options for a Paxil Lawsuit.

Although Paxil has not been recalled or taken off the market with news of possible birth defects, public concern over the drug is at an all time high. Now, new data suggests there may be risks of an entirely new side effect from taking the drug: Diabetes.

A Louisiana woman has filed suit against GSK, the manufacturer of the anti-depressant drug Paxil, after discovering it could be the cause of her child's birth defects.

Andrea and Brad Frischhertz, individually and on behalf of their minor child, filed suit against SmithKline Beecham Corp. doing business as GlaxoSmithKline July 1 in Jefferson Parish District Court.

Eleven percent of American women are on antidepressants, such as Paxil. Use by pregnant women has risen a lot, even though Paxil has been linked to birth defects. The unborn babies of women who take it may be at risk of heart malformations, and other birth defects.

The Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine reported that 30 percent of babies with prenatal antidepressant exposure showed symptoms of withdrawal such as tremors, breathing problems, stomach problems, sleep issues, rapid heartbeat, irritability and profuse sweating. But even more worrisome are birth defects.

While no settlement can adequately compensate for a life altering birth defect caused by Paxil, the average settlement in a Paxil birth defect lawsuit appears to be more than $1.2 million for each family involved. The Newark Star-Ledger noted in July that Paxil manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo) has set up a trust of around $2.4 billion to cover litigation and settlement costs.

Glaxo reported that legal costs factored into a loss of $464 million during its second quarter (Q2). The Associated Press (AP) said in July that a charge of $2.4 billion for the purpose of settling litigation had a lot to do with the loss for the three months ending June 30th.

Recent studies have highlighted the link between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs and severe heart, lung facial and skeletal birth defects in infants of mothers who took the drugs.

Many mothers, however, are not sure if their child’s condition may have been caused by the SSRI drug they took. More information is now available on the risks of Zoloft birth defects and Zoloft heart defects.

Zoloft lawyers are now filing Zoloft birth defect lawsuits on behalf of those injured by the severe side effects of the drug. It is important to speak with a qualified lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal options to protect your child.