Ondansetron, commonly known by the brand name Zofran, is a powerful anti-nausea medication which has primarily been used to treat only the most severe nausea, including those recovering from surgery and cancer patients. However, two parents in Alameda County have filed a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, claiming that the drug caused severe birth injuries in their daughter.
Severe Birth Injuries
The plaintiff’s daughter was born with severe congenital heart defects, and ultimately needed surgery at 4 years old to correct the problem. As their attorney builds a case against GlaxoSmithKline, it’s become apparent that numerous other babies suffered similar injuries after their mothers used the Zofran. Whether or not a link between the injuries and the drug exists, however, remains to be proven.
A History of Criminal Behavior
A prior incident involving Zofran may play a large role in the outcome of this case. In 2012, GlaxoSmithKline pled guilty to criminal charges related to off-label promotion of Zofran, as well as other drugs, for uses which were not approved by the FDA. Zofran actually has not been approved for use in pregnant women, yet is still widely prescribed to help them deal with morning sickness.
The plaintiff’s injury attorney has stated that the company has received “hundreds of reports of birth defects” related to the drug, and has cited recent studies which suggest an increased risk of heart defects. The lawsuit alleges numerous claims against GlaxoSmithKline, including negligence, misrepresentation, concealment, and breach of warranty, among others.
Call Shoop to Pursue Justice
When you or someone you love is injured by a dangerous product or medication, you owe it to yourself and your community to pursue justice. At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, our Los Angeles product liability attorneys are committed to getting our clients fair compensation, and will work tirelessly to prevent others from suffering from the same defect.
Hurt by a defective product? Call (323) 655-6200 today to pursue justice.