Status Update on Zoloft Birth Defects MDL

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) for plaintiffs who have filed a Zoloft lawsuit against Pfizer is currently proceeding under Judge Cynthia M. Rufe in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The MDL was formed on April 17, 2012 to centralize complaints that share commonalities in order to make the litigation process more efficient. Despite the increased efficiency of an MDL, it can still take months or years for these lawsuits to reach a resolution. Zoloft birth defects lawsuit loans may be a good option for many plaintiffs while they await a jury award or settlement. Unlike a traditional bank loan, a legal loan is a pre settlement cash advance that does not need to be repaid unless the plaintiff obtains compensatory damages.

Zoloft MDL has added cases

Recently, a status update on the MDL was submitted to the court. The document reveals that at least 336 lawsuis are now in the MDL. At the time of the centralization by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), about 92 complaints were pending in federal courts. Other lawsuits are currently proceeding in state courts.

Zoloft (sertraline) is commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, according to the complaints, the use of the drug during pregnancy has resulted in serious birth defects. Some of these potentially life-threatening defects include heart defects and pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Other complications can include Zoloft withdrawal, clubfoot, and omphalocele.

Bellwether trial dates scheduled

Some of the cases have already undergone initial discovery activities and the bellwether trials are being selected. Twenty five complaints will be chosen as a potential pool for the bellwether trials.  The defendants have been instructed to select 13 complaints, with the plaintiffs choosing 12 lawsuits. Judge Rufe had previously ordered that the selection of these bellwether lawsuits be completed by April 22, 2013.

Once these initial cases have been established, the parties will undergo discovery activities. The first trial is expected to begin on or earlier than October 13, 2014. Meanwhile, the other plaintiffs in the MDL must wait for their trial dates. Legal funding for Zoloft plaintiffs can help those who must wait for their day in court.

The next deadline for the MDL is May 15, 2013, at which time both parties must have submitted joint or competing proposals for the bellwether lawsuit selection. Throughout the discovery process, activities such as the submission of expert reports and the establishment of causation between the drug and the birth defects must be completed. Depositions of experts will also be taken. One of the purposes of mass litigation is to share discovery activities among the plaintiffs in order to save resources and time. However, Zoloft birth defects lawsuit loans can still help those who are in need of a pre settlement cash advance now, while their claims settle.

Apply for Zoloft birth defects lawsuit loans

While waiting months or years for the resolution of a lawsuit, plaintiffs can benefit from legal funding to cover their medical bills, ongoing care expenses, and day-to-day needs. Plaintiffs who are involved in any type of lawsuit can take advantage of the legal loans offered by LawStreet Capital. You will owe nothing unless you obtain compensatory damages, so there is never any risk to you. Call LawStreet Capital today or fill out the free application. You can receive 24-hour approval by calling 866.FUND.662.