Illinois Man Files Lawsuit over Alleged Depakote Birth Defects

Fairview Heights, ILA resident of Fairview Heights, Illinois, recently filed a Depakote birth defects lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of the seizure medication.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">The St. Clair Record reports that Myles Brumfield filed the lawsuit, which represents a number of other patients claiming their children suffered defects as a result of the medication.

The lawsuit contends that the plaintiffs were prescribed the medication despite the potential risks posed to themselves and their children, according to the news source. The plaintiffs claim that Depakote's active ingredient, valproic acid, has been linked to serious birth defects when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Additionally, they claim that Abbott has not been completely up front about the risks of the medication to doctors who prescribe it.

The negligence lawsuit reportedly seeks an unspecified amount of money in damages, medical expenses and loss of income.

Valproic acid has also been associated with severe or even life-threatening liver damage, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.