Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 11, 2014 -- A Daubert hearing in the Zoloft MDL No. 2342 began on Monday, April 7, in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The hearing relates to the relationship between the antidepressant Zoloft and birth defects.
The first of its kind in history, this hearing will determine how future court cases attempting to link SSRI usage and congenital malformations will be handled. Attorney Sean Tracey of Tracey Law Firm is in attendance, along with others in the legal field who are presenting the leading experts who have conducted extensive research on the causes of and cures for birth defects. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft, is arguing that birth defects cannot occur as a direct result of a mother’s Zoloft use during pregnancy.
Among the experts being presented is Dr. Anick Bérard, a perinatal epidemiologist concerned solely with the study of adverse pregnancy outcomes, their causes, and possible cures. Over the past eight years, she has researched the same issues presented in this hearing, specifically whether or not antidepressants are capable of causing birth defects.
In his opening statement, Sean Tracey pointed out that the group of doctors and researchers he presented are so respected in their fields that no one at the hearing had even questioned the validity of their credentials or the quality of their research. This is a key component of the hearing because it signals that the methodologies of the presented experts are regarded as being sound.
The hearing will continue throughout this week, with Sean Tracey planning to detail the specific scientific methodologies that were used to come to a conclusion that SSRI usage during pregnancy can be linked to birth defects.
“All of the experts present at this hearing have dedicated their professional lives to finding the truths about birth defects and how to cure them. They are all uniquely and independently qualified to speak about the issues involved in this case and whether or not Zoloft and other SSRIs taken during pregnancy can lead to adverse results,” states Tracey. “This is the most authoritative group I have ever seen gathered in one courtroom, discussing one subject, in my entire career.”
About Tracey Law Firm
The award-winning team at Tracey Law Firm in Houston, Texas, has settled a wide range of personal injury cases, including the first-ever landmark victory linking birth injuries to Paxil use during pregnancy. Founding attorney Sean Tracey has received Super Lawyer honors for 10 years running, and holds a rare “Superb” ranking from Avvo. Partner Shawn Fox has received three consecutive Texas Rising Star honors since 2011. Tracey Law Firm’s services cover personal injuries resulting from accidents, premises liability, defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, medical malpractice, and other incidents of negligence. For further information, visit Tracey Law Firm online at http://www.traceylawfirm.com.
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Katherine Cornell, Tracey Law Firm, http://www.traceylawfirm.com/, +1 (713) 495-2345, [email protected]
SOURCE Tracey Law Firm
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