Birth Defects Lawyer Europe.Eu

GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil, has agreed to pay settlements in nearly 200 individual cases which all claimed that the antidepressant caused birth defects, such as congenital heart defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension.

ONE BILLION PAID TO SETTLE PAXIL CLAIMS

GlaxoSmithKline has paid out approximately $1 billion to resolve lawsuits involving Paxil (paroxetine) since the drug came on the market in 1992. Unfortunately, the billion dollars paid out by the pharmaceutical manufacturer does not even begin to cover the more than 600 Paxil birth defect cases currently pending in the state of Pennsylvania.

With the influx of birth defect cases into state courts, the FDA reclassified Paxil from a pregnancy Category C drug to a Category D drug, in December of 2005. According to the FDA, a Category D drug means "there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.)" The FDA's advisory committee of healthcare professionals has specifically stated that the "FDA has determined that exposure to paroxetine in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk for congenital malformations, particularly cardiac malformations," and advised against its use, unless absolutely necessary.

Every year, many babies are born with birth defects that arise somewhere in the development process. While this accounts for approximately 93% of all birth defects, the last 7% of these defects stem from a critical mistake made during the delivery process or soon thereafter.  According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, deaths due to preventable medical errors exceed the deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS.  In these instances, the baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen, which many times causes permanent, life-altering damages, such as paralysis or mental retardation.  In addition to the ramifications that the newborn will face for the rest of its life, a great deal of emotional and financial stress is thrown upon the family, due to the negligence of the physician, midwife, nurse or hospital.

According to OBGYN.net, some common causes of birth injuries are:

• oxygen deprivation probably caused by the placenta or umbilical cord;
• a delay in ordering a caesarian section;
• poor use of vacuum extractors or forceps;
• delay in treating a baby’s developing lack of oxygen (fetal distress);
• failure to diagnosis or properly treat seizures after delivery;
• failure to treat the mother for toxemia, high blood pressure or diabetes;

Vincent and Tim Shannon Lawyers and Solicitors of Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland have practised litigation in Ireland for thirty years. We have represented many children who fnd themselves the victim of birth injury either by negligence on the part of the medical profession, or through the use of drugs and their side effects.

We have formed an association with Dana B. Taschner who is one of the most respected trial lawyers in the US and who has twenty years experience in prosecuting birth defect cases.

We are combining our experience with Dana Taschner to give you the client the best outcome for your litigation. Many of the cases litigated in this area have already been dealt with by the courts in the United States, and in some cases litigation has to take place in two jurisdictions where product liability and medical negligence issues have to be determined in the one case.

We hope the US connection will improve the service and expertise we can bring to your case. Please contact us for further advice.

"Legal Luminary" - The Wall Street Journal
Birth defect lawyer Dana Taschner is one of the most respected trial lawyers in the United States. For twenty consecutive years, Dana has been awarded the highest national AV-rating (preeminent) for his legal ability and ethics based on reviews by judges and lawyers. Dana trained with the world's largest law firm, and was awarded the American Bar Association's Sole Practitioner of the Year from a field of 400,000 lawyers.

"Great Plaintiff Lawyer" - The Huffington Post
At the age of 8, Dana started his lifelong journey of fighting birth defects by joining his mother in the March of Dimes door-to-door campaign. The March of Dimes is a health charity whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Despite his young age, Dana canvassed his hometown without his mother and was so tireless in his collection efforts that he was the top donation collector in his hometown and received special recognition from the March of Dimes. Prior to becoming a lawyer and while still in college, Dana considered a career in medicine in the specialty fields of obstetrics and infant surgery. Following his selection as a National Science Foundation Scholar, Dana was hired by esteemed obstetrician George Harris, MD, Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the renowned Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills, California. While working in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department at Cedars Sinai, Dana worked directly under Dr. Harris. Obstetrics is the division of medicine that focuses on the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the time immediately following childbirth. Obstetrics also includes the practice of surgery as it pertains to childbirth, including caesarian sections, also known as C-sections. The Cedars Sinai Obstetrics practice in which Dana worked was a combination of obstetrics and gynecology, the specialty of women's reproductive health.

"The height of professional excellence…" - Highest national rating from lawyers and judges for skill and integrity.
The work included assisting physicians during the first patient visit, conducting medical histories, physical histories, blood and urine analysis, monitoring fetal growth and fetal position, fetal screening and assessment, assessing and addressing complications and emergencies (Fallopian tube inside the peritoneal cavity, internal bleeding, maternal hypertension, fetal distress, prolapsed cord, hemorrhage, sepsis), and childbirth. Dana also observed a range of problems associated with childbirth including placental malfunction, intrauterine growth retardation, and other medical conditions linked to the pregnancy, diseases, and labor.

"Taschner has achieved national recognition … Taschner truly brings honor to his profession." - United States Senate, Tribute
During labor, Dana observed a number of tasks including monitoring the progress of labor, reviewing the charts, coordinating pain relief by nitrous oxide, opiates and epidural performed by anesthesiologist, and surgically assisting in labor by forceps or the ventouse suction cap applied to the head of the child during delivery. In addition, observations included planned and emergency caesarean section surgery. Following delivery, the work also included observed monitoring of the health of the newborn child and coordinating emergency care when necessary.

"All our prayers after C's death came to pass. Thank you for all you did for my daughter and granddaughter, as I said before, you are a legend in our family." - Pat C.
Following the emotional delivery of two babies born with birth defects thought to be linked to a poor prenatal care or prescription drugs that had been used by the mother during pregnancy, Dana decided that his deep interest in helping people would be most productive in a law related career. "Discovering that a newborn has a birth defect is heartbreaking. Although prescription medications increasing the risk of birth defects are commonly used by women in their childbearing years, many were not receiving contraceptive counseling from their health care providers...I decided I was called to be a compassionate but aggressive advocate."

As a lawyer, Dana developed a national reputation as one finest trial lawyers in the country with significant experience in cases involving birth defects and pharmaceutical drugs. Dana has been substantially involved in national litigation involving drugs and medical product causing birth defects, including Accutane, Paxil, and other SSRI drugs. Over a career spanning three decades, Dana has been contacted by over 10,000 consumers and patients seeking advice or information about birth defects or prescription drug side effects.

Mr. Taschner's devotion to fighting oppression earned him the American Bar Association's Lawyer of the Year award. He was chosen from a pool of approximately 245,000 other lawyers in North America...Dana Taschner's unwavering dedication to his clients can be seen in his personal relationships with them, relationships that often outlive the outcome of the case. Dana Taschner, whose integrity and selfless devotion to fairness truly embody our American justice system, is a role model for us all." — Senator Harry Reid, United States Senate Majority Leader