Deciding when to start a family is a big decision for many couples and women will usually go in for a physical to make sure that they aren't doing anything that could possibly harm their unborn child, and to make sure that they are healthy enough to carry a child full-term. For a New Orleans couple, their dream of having a healthy family is now tainted. They are filing a lawsuit claiming that their baby was born with a congenital birth defect because the mother took Zoloft during her pregnancy.

The lawsuit, which was filed January 30 in a federal court in New Orleans, claims that Pfizer Inc, the maker of the drug Zoloft, should have known that a developing fetus had a risk of congenital birth defects, malformations and other related conditions. Also, that the drug increases the risk of heart defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborns. These risks should have been made clear for women who were planning on becoming pregnant.

The couple is seeking award damages for mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of consortium, companionship, service and society, return of any purchase price paid, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

This is a tragic case of a medication being taken during a pregnancy that harmed a fetus. These types of mistakes can have emotional as well as financial consequences for those involved. If you think that you have inadvertently been given the wrong medication and it has caused injury or illness, then you should contact a personal injury attorney who will review your case and help you figure out what your options are in getting the compensation that you deserve.

Source: The Louisiana Record, "Lawsuit claims baby's congenital birth defects linked to mother's use of Zoloft," Michelle Keahey, Feb. 13, 2012