Salim
A Fairview Heights man filed a class action lawsuit against the makers of a seizure medication for allegedly causing severe birth defects in dozens of children.
Myles Brumfield filed the lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories Inc. March 22 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. The class represents dozens of other patients who claim their children were seriously affected by the drug Depakote.
According to the complaint, Brumfield and the several other plaintiffs were prescribed the seizure medication Depakote despite the risks it allegedly posed to them and their unborn children. The plaintiffs contend the main ingredient of Depakote -- valproic acid -- is known to cause severe birth defects if taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Brumfield and the others allege Abbott Laboratories has misled doctors who prescribe the drug about the dangers of its ingestion.
The class accuses Abbott Laboratories of negligence for manufacturing and marketing a defective drug. They ask for an undetermined amount of money in damages for medical expenses, loss of income and court costs.
Attorneys Christopher Cueto and Lloyd M. Cueto, both of Belleville, Jeffrey D. Meyer, Ralph D. McBride, Douglas A. Daniels, Blair R. Loocke and Tommy Fibich, all of Houston, along with Robert L. Salim, of Louisiana, and William M Audet of San Francisco represent the class.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-143