My child’s doctor prescribed Paxil for her to treat her depression. She attempted suicide and, while she survived, she suffered significant brain damage. We believe her use of Paxil led to her suicide attempt. How do we prove this?
If your daughter was depressed, she may have had suicidal tendencies. However, the fact that she was taking Paxil, which was never approved for use in children and which has been linked to increased suicidal tendencies in children, definitely strengthens your case against the manufacturer of the drug as well as against your daughter’s doctor.
You should certainly consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your daughter’s case. You should be able to bring an action against Glaxo-Smith-Kline, the manufacturer of Paxil. The FDA never approved the use of Paxil for treating pediatric depression and, in fact, issued a letter pointing out that not only had Paxil being used by children been linked to increased suicidal tendencies but that there was no evidence to show that Paxil actually helps children with depression and other related mental illnesses. Therefore, your case against Glaxo-Smith-Kline is relatively strong.
You may also have a case against your daughter’s doctor. The doctor should have known that Paxil had not been approved for use in children. Furthermore, the FDA issued a letter charging that Paxil had not been proven effective for use with children and that its use might lead to increased suicidal tendencies. Your daughter’s doctor should have known about that letter and should have acted accordingly to make sure that your daughter was safe. Your attorney can help you decide how best to proceed.
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