Cueto
The mother of a Belleville girl says her daughter was born with spina bifida because of the seizure medicine she took during pregnancy.
Rhealyn Alexander, on behalf of her minor daughter, filed a lawsuit Oct. 17 against Abbott Laboratories Inc. in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Alexander says she took Depakote, a drug now linked to birth defects in some newborns, during her first trimester of pregnancy to treat the woman's seizure disorder. Alexander says her daughter was born in October 2007 with spina bifida and neural tube defects. She claims Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Depakote, knew of the dangers of the drug but didn't warn physicians or patients of those risks.
Alexander says Abbott Laboratories is liable for her daughter's condition and accuses the drug manufacturer of negligence. She is asking for an undetermined amount of money in damages for medical expenses, loss of income and court fees.
Alexander is represented by attorneys Christopher Cueto and Michael Gras, of Belleville, along with Jeff Meyer, Ralph D. McBride, Douglas A. Daniels, Kathleen B. Jennings and Kenneth T. Fibich, of Houston, Tx. Attorney Robert L. Salim, of Natchitoches, La. is also representing Alexander.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-583.